WEC 45 Results - WEC 45 Results & Recap

WEC 45 took place on December 19, 2009 from The Pearl at The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, NV as Donald Cerrone took on Ed Ratcliff in the main event. The WEC 45 also featured several strong match-ups which will help determine the top contenders in WEC weight classes in 2010. The WEC 45 results are listed below as well as our recap of the televised WEC 45 fights.

Scott Jorgensen vs. Takeya Mizugaki

In a fight that favored the fast-paced style of Japanese import Takeya Mizugaki (12-4-2), Scott “Young Guns” Jorgensen (8-3) was able to meet Mizugaki’s intensity and grind out a three-round unanimous decision victory with scores of 29-28, 29-28, 29-28.

It was the 1st and 2nd rounds that Jorgensen controlled, using effective striking as well as mixing in occasional takedowns. Mizugaki, realizing he was down by two rounds, came out aggressively in the final round, landing several right hands. He also was able to secure a couple of takedowns in the 3rd and worked some brutal ground and pound but simply ran out of time and wasn’t able to finish the fight.

Jorgensen, now 4-2 in the WEC, has put together back-to-back impressive performances over the last two months. He has won four of his last five WEC fights, losing only to Antonio Banuelos at the June WEC 41 event via split decision. Mizugaki falls for the second time in three fights after coming to the organization with a 5-fight win streak. He has gone to a decision in all three of his WEC bouts.

Joseph Benavidez vs. Rani Yahya

Rising bantamweight Joseph Benavidez (11-1) earned quite possibly the biggest victory of his young career over longtime WEC and BJJ vet, Rani Yahya (15-5). Benavidez recorded the victory via KO at the 1:35 marker of the 1st round.

Anthony Pettis lands a kick to the head of Bart Palaszewski in their undercard fight at WEC 45. While both fighters were sponsored by ProFighting-fans.com, it was Palaszewski who came away with a crazy split decision victory.

Both fighters came out firing and landing, it was on the second exchange that Benavidez was dropped courtesy of a well-timed left hand. After getting back to his feet, Benavidez landed a nice body shot followed by an overhand right that connected flush to Yahya’s chin. Although it looked as if Yahya was out before hitting the canvas, Benavidez jumped on top and finished the fight with ground strikes.

The win put Benavidez back on his path to a possible 135-pound title shot. He is now 3-1 in the WEC and with one more win over a top-level bantamweight, could be in that title bout. The loss stops Yahya’s three-fight submission streak in the promotion. The seven-year professional is 4-2 inside the WEC cage.

Chris Horodecki vs. Anthony Njokuani

Former IFL star Chris “The Polish Hammer” Horodecki (13-2) had his WEC debut spoiled by rising 155-pound fighter, Anthony Njokuani (12-2). Njokuani used strikes for his (technical) knockout of Horodecki at the 3:33 mark of the 1st round.

Horodecki, known for his striking skills, seemed to be having trouble with the lanky Njokuani from the get-go. Njokuani used his length and versatility to land his jabs and kicks as well as avoid strikes and takedowns by Horodecki. It was when “The Polish Hammer” went for a takedown that Njokuani reversed and secured a takedown of his own. Immediately after both returned to their feet, Njokuani connected on a head kick that put Horodecki on his back. Njokuani rushed in and put away any chances that Horodecki had by dropping bomb after bomb until the referee intervened.

Njokuani, 3-1 for the WEC, has piled up three straight TKO finishes in a row inside the organization. He also earned “KO of the Night” $10,000 bonus for the third straight fight. Horodecki suffers only his second loss of his four-year career. After starting his career at 11-0, he is just 2-2 over his last four fights.

Donald Cerrone vs. Ed Ratcliff

Lightweight Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone (11-2) earned an exciting come-from-behind rear naked choke submission victory over Ed “9MM” Ratcliff (7-2) in the WEC 45 main event in Las Vegas.

It took “Cowboy” part of three rounds before gaining advantage against the dangerous striker from California. Ratcliff dropped Cerrone early with a heavy left hook that seemed to give him the momentum. However, after Cerrone delivered illegal groin strikes later in the 1st and 2nd rounds, Ratcliff didn’t seem to be the same. Cerrone, after losing two points for the groin strikes, came out in the final round with desperation. The Greg Jackson-trained fighter worked over Ratcliff’s legs with sharp leg kicks and then forced him to the mat where the fight-ending rear naked choke was only seconds away.

Cerrone is back on track with his “Fight of the Night” performance that earned him a $10,000 bonus. He has wins in two of his last three, moving his WEC record to 4-2 with 1 no contest and ultimately jumping back into the 155-pound title contender picture. Ratcliff, who also cashed in $10,000 for his part in the “Fight of the Night,” drops his second fight in his last three. His WEC record falls to 3-2 after his second submission loss.

Fight Card for Main WEC 45 Fights:

• Donald Cerrone defeats Ed Ratcliff via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) - Round 3 @ 3:47

• Anthony Njokuani defeats Chris Horodecki by TKO (Strikes) - Round 1 @ 3:33

• Joseph Benavidez defeats Rani Yahya by TKO (Strikes) - Round 1 @ 1:35

• Scott Jorgensen defeats Takeya Mizugaki by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> View more WEC results online listed here by Pro Fighting Fans!

Other WEC 45 Fights:

• Bart Palaszewski defeats Anthony Pettis by Split Decision (30-27, 27-30, 29-28)

• Zach Micklewright defeats Muhsin Corbbrey by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

• Chad George defeats John Hosman by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

• Brandon Visher defeats Courtney Buck by TKO (Punches) - Round 1 @ 4:45

• Brad Pickett defeats Kyle Dietz via Submission (Peruvian Necktie) - Round 2 @ 4:36

• Erik Koch defeats Jameel Massouh by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)