WEC 44 Fight Card & Results - WEC 44 Results & Recap
WEC 44 took place on November 18, 2009 from The Pearl at The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, NV as WEC Featherweight Champion Mike Brown looked to defend his title against top contender Jose Aldo in the main event. The official WEC 44 results as we have also added our recap of the WEC 44 fight results for your enjoyment.
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Kamal Shalorus vs. Will Kerr
In the first televised main card bout of the night, 37 year-old Kamal Shalorus (5-0-1) put a beating on fellow WEC newcomer Will Kerr (8-2) earning a TKO at the 1:26 mark of the 1st round.
Austin, Texas-based Shalorus dropped Kerr less than 30 seconds into the initial round with a well-timed left hook. Although Kerr made it back to his feet, he looked dazed and confused after getting clipped with more than one solid shot. Shalorus finally put Kerr out with an overhand right that made referee Steve Mazagatti step in and save him from any other damage.
Shalorus has stopped his opponent in five of his six career bouts, knocking four opponents out and submitting another. Kerr had his four-fight win streak stopped, losing for the second time in his four and a half year career.
Danny Castillo vs. Shane Roller
With back-and-forth momentum shifts the entire bout, lightweights Danny Castillo (8-2) and Shane Roller (7-2) had an evenly-fought fight for almost a full three rounds. But, after wrestling specialist, Roller, got his fast-paced opponent to the ground, he was able to lock in a fight-ending submission to earn the victory.
Castillo was the aggressor throughout much of the 1st round, getting Roller to the ground and working some effective ground and pound. Roller gained advantage during the 2nd with strategic takedowns, where he almost finished the fight with a tight guillotine. Castillo survived the guillotine attempt, hit on an overhand right and fell into top position, however wasn’t able to keep the dominant position. Roller re-gained his momentum by taking the bout to the floor and sinking in a fight ending choke shortly after getting Castillo on the canvas.
Roller’s 3rd round submission victory is his fourth in five WEC attempts and places him in solid position in the lightweight ranking. Castillo, a Team Alpha Male fighter, has his three-fight winning streak stopped. He is now 3-2 inside of the WEC cage.
Rob McCullough vs. Karen Darabedyan
In a lightweight bout that had the potential to produce fireworks, “Razor” Rob McCullough (17-6) returned to the WEC, but was unsuccessful after losing a action-less split decision against newcomer, Karen Darabedyan (9-1).
Razor Rob was more active, hitting with several unanswered leg kicks in a standing-only 1st round. After Darabedyan was successful with his early 2nd round takedown, he worked a little ground and pound to gain secure the middle of three rounds. The only worth-while action to take place during the final round was an exchange at the 1:25 mark, where evidently Darabedyan got the best of the stand-up throw down.
McCullough, one of the most experienced fighters in the WEC, drops his organizational record to 8-4 after losing his second out of his last three. Darabedyan, a Shark Fights and Call to Arms vet, is successful in his WEC debut. And, although the win was in less than entertaining fashion, he is successful for the seventh straight fight.
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Leonard Garcia vs. Manny Gamburyan
Former UFC lightweight, Manny Gamburyan (12-5) inches closer to his featherweight title shot after securing his best career victory, defeating Leonard Garcia (17-5) via unanimous decision.
Gamburyan avoided several wild hooks and took Garcia down for much of the 1 st round. When the fight wasn’t on the ground, it seemed to be in Gamburyan’s favor, as he used his dirty boxing and knees to the body as his weapon of choice. During the final round, Garcia showed his best striking, hitting his opponent with several solid combinations. If there was any doubt, Gamburyan ended that with a late-fight takedown to seal the victory.
Gamburyan is now victorious in both of his WEC bouts after losing back-to-back fights in the UFC. He is very close to a shot at new title-holder Jose Aldo. Garcia continues his up and down career, as he is now 2-2 with the WEC, losing for the second time in his last three bouts.
Mike Thomas Brown vs. Jose Aldo – Featherweight Title Bout
Brazilian, Jose Aldo (16-1), dethrones former featherweight champion Mike Thomas Brown (22-5) in a surprisingly one-sided championship bout in the main event of the WEC 44 event.
Aldo began quickly with an overhand right that scored and was followed up with a knee and several leg kicks from his unique muay-thai fighting stance. Brown didn’t seem to like the pressure that was being put on him and immediately went in for the takedown. He was unsuccessful in his takedown attempts and instead had to settle for trading jabs until the round ended. Aldo continued his fast-pace during the 2nd, securing a takedown, mounting Brown, turning him over and dropping punches until referee Steve Mazagatti stepped in to save him.
Although it took him six WEC bout’s, Aldo is the new featherweight champion of the WEC. He is a winner in nine straight bouts, which also includes time spent in Japan and Brazil. Brown’s reign lasted only two defenses, but he proved to be a worthy opponent. His 4-1 WEC record is still one of the best in the 145-pound division, and he will lay claim to a rematch with Aldo with another win in his next bout.
Fight Card for Main WEC 44 Fights:
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Jose Aldo defeats Mike Brown by TKO (Punches) - Round 2 @ 1:20 - Aldo becomes the new WEC Featherweight Champion
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Manny Gamburyan defeats Leonard Garcia by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
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Karen Darabedyan defeats Rob McCullough by Split Decision (30-27, 27-30, 29-28)
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Shane Roller defeats Danny Castillo via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) - Round 3 @ 3:32
Other WEC 44 Fights:
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Kamal Shalorus defeats Will Kerr by TKO (Punches) - Round 1 @ 1:26
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L.C. Davis defeats Diego Nunes by Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
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Cub Swanson defeats John Franchi via Submission (Guillotine Choke) - Round 3 @ 4:50
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Antonio Banuelos defeats Kenji Osawa by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
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Ricardo Lamas defeats James Krause by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
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Frank Gomez defeats Seth Dikun by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)