WEC 43 Results - WEC 43 Results & Recap for October 10 Fights

With WEC Lightweight Champion Jaime Varner unable to defend his belt, WEC 43 featured Donald "The Cowboy" Cerrone versus Benson (Ben) Henderson fighting for the Interim WEC Lightweight Championship on October 10, 2009 in San Antonio, Texas. WEC 43 was originally scheduled for September 2, 2009, in Youngstown, Ohio before being postponed to the October 10 date.

In what was possibly a “Fight of the Year” candidate, WEC 43 took place from the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas with Benson Henderson outpointing Donald Cerrone for the WEC Interim Lightweight Championship in the main event. Henderson handled Cerrone for much of the first three rounds, only to take a back seat to Cerrone’s aggressiveness throughout the remaining two rounds. Henderson survived the fight-ending submission attempts on his way to a 48-47 unanimous decision victory.

Other main card victors were Damacio Page, Rafael Assuncao and Dave Jansen. Page was dominant in finishing newcomer Will Campuzano in the 1st round via rear naked choke, Assuncao and Jansen needed all three rounds to earn their WEC 43 victories.

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WEC 43 Main Card Results

Will Campuzano vs. Damacio Page

Experience outweighed youth as WEC veteran Damacio Page (12-4) dispensed of organizational newcomer, Will Campuzano (6-1), after sinking in an early 1st round rear naked choke submission.

Both fighters came out swinging with all they had, but when Page converted on a takedown it changed the feverish pace in his favor. As the fight hit the ground, the “Angel of Death” moved into back control and without hesitation slipped his arm under the Texas-based fighter’s neck to finish at the 1:02 mark of the 1st round.

The 5’9” 135 pound Campuzano suffers his first career loss in his WEC debut. Page, a Greg Jackson disciple, is now 3-1 in his WEC career and with back-to-back victories over Marcos Galvao and now Campuzano; he should get a top-5 Bantamweight fighter for his next fight.

Yves Jabouin vs. Rafael Assuncao

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, Rafael Assuncao (14-1) controlled much of the last two rounds by smothering WEC newcomer, Yves Jabouin (14-5), and not allowing him to unleash his strong striking skills on his way to a close split decision victory.

Jabouin’s most effective round was no question the first as he got the better of the exchanges using flashy spinning back fists and superman punches to confuse his opponent. As the fight grew older, Assuncao used his grappling expertise to control the one-dimensional Jabouin. The Georgia based fighter almost finished the fight late in the third round, but as Jabouin escaped the rear naked choke attempt with less than a minute remaining, he ran out of time and was unable to land the big shot.

Assuncao, who came into the WEC winning 12 of 13 including victories over Joe Lauzon and Jorge Masvidal, has now won both of his promotional bouts with tight decisions. “Tiger,” a Montreal based fighter who calls UFC Welterweight Champ George St. Pierre and former UFC fighter David Loiseau his training partners, dropped his debut bout after winning four straight and 7 of his last 8. Assuncao makes a significant jump up into the upper-tier of the WEC lightweight division with the decision victory.

Rich Crunkilton vs. Dave Jansen

M-1 Challenge vet and WEC rookie, Dave Jansen (13-0) dominated all three rounds of his lightweight bout and posted his fifth win this year by outmuscling a unanimous decision victory away from WEC journeyman Rich Crunkilton (16-3).

Once Jansen got the striker Crunkilton to the ground, he was able to control him by transitioning from dominant position to dominant position. “Cleat” almost stole the round and the fight with about ten seconds remaining in the 1st round when he used his powerful right hand to knock “The Fugitive” to the ground. He survived the round and was able to dominate the 2nd and 3rd rounds with well-timed takedowns and submission defense. “Cleat” was close to ending the bout once again in the 3rd with a tight front choke, however Jansen broke free, secured another takedown and ground and pounded his way to a decision.

The 30 year old Oregon native, Jansen, has been decisive in his thirteen victories, winning either via stoppage or unanimous decision each time out. His debut turned out to be successful and against a notable name in Rich Crunkilton, who has been in and out of the organization for seven years. Overall, he has put together an 8-2 WEC record, although has suffered the two losses in his last three bouts.

WEC 43 MAIN EVENT - INTERIM LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE

Donald Cerrone vs. Benson Henderson

In one of the best fights in WEC history, Benson “Smooth” Henderson (10-1) outlasted Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone (10-2) to capture the WEC Interim Lightweight Title and a probable fight with WEC Lightweight Champ, Jaime Varner to unify the belts.

Henderson’s strategy was simple; he wanted to take the fight to the ground in order to work his aggressive ground and pound skills. For the first three rounds, the strategy worked to perfection as Henderson consistently worked from Cerrone’s guard in a standing position and delivered blow after blow to his opponent’s body. “Cowboy” mounted a mini-comeback during the 4th round with a deflating choke attempt in addition to his technical striking game. He pulled out all the stops in the final frame, where he almost finished Henderson with an armbar attempt then again with a triangle attempt.

Henderson, showing his submission defense and remarkable determination, survived all of Cerrone’s finishing attempts to score a 48-47 on all three scorecards. “Smooth” has now been victorious in all three of his WEC bouts and in his last eight bouts overall. Cerrone falls to 3-2 in his WEC career and drops his second bout out of his last three overall. His bid for a rematch with Lightweight Champ and rival, Jaime Varner, who he lost a controversial split decision to at WEC 38, is at least for now nonexistent.

By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Senior MMA Staff Writer

Fight Card for Main WEC 43 Fights:

• Ben Henderson defeats Donald Cerrone by Unanimous Decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47) - Interim WEC Lightweight Championship Bout

• Dave Jansen defeats Richard Crunkilton by Unanimous Decision

• Rafael Assuncao defeats Yves Jabouin by Split Decision

• Damacio Page defeats Will Campuzano via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) - Round 1

Other WEC 43 Fight Results:

• Anthony Njokuani defeats Muhsin Corbbrey by TKO (Punches) - Round 2

• Scott Jorgensen defeats Noah Thomas by TKO (Punches) - Round 1

• Mackens Semerzier defeats Wagnney Fabiano via Submission (Triangle Choke) - Round 1

• Eddie Wineland defeats Manny Tapia by Unanimous Decision

• Charlie Valencia defeats Coty Wheeler by Unanimous Decision

• Deividas Taurosevicius defeats Javier Vazquez by Split Decision