MMA News @ Pro Fighting Fans
MMA News @ Pro Fighting Fans
About | MMA | Events | Rankings | UFC Previews | UFC Results | MMA Forums | MMA Merchandise | Tickets | Profiles | TUF | Writers | MMA Blog

MMA Content: Events - Rankings - UFC Previews - UFC Apparel - UFC Tickets - MMA Forums - MMA Merchandise - TUF - MMA Profiles - WEC - WEC Previews - WEC Results

WEC 50 Predictions: WEC 50 Fight Previews & Predictions

Buy MMA hoodies cheap

Check out Intimidation Clothing's MMA hoodies available through Pro Fighting Fans!

 

Buy TapouT apparel

Find a great selection of TapouT apparel & clothing online available through Pro Fighting Fans!

 

Pro Fighting Fans is the home of WEC fans across the world and we now bring you the best place to find the latest WEC preview. WEC 50 is fast approaching and you can find the WEC 50 fight card and preview below.

The next event for WEC will be WEC 50 on August 18, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada with a card that features a Bantamweight title fight. You can also view our review of the WEC 49 results which featured a terrible draw as former Lightweight Champion Jamie Varner was robbed of a win over Kamal Shalorus. Fans can now buy WEC tickets online through Pro Fighting Fans to all of these exciting WEC events.



Preliminary WEC 50 Fight Predictions:

 

Danny Castillo vs. Dustin Poirier

A lightweight bout between Danny “Last Call” Castillo (8-3) and promotional newcomer Dustin Poirier (7-0) will take place on the WEC 50 undercard. Castillo needs a win to assure him a spot on the organization’s 155-lb. roster, while Poirier has seven submissions in seven bouts while building his record on the local circuit.

Castillo, 30, is a three year professional who trains out of the California-based Team Alpha Male. He built his record fighting in Gladiators Challenge, Cage Combat FC, and Palace FC organizations, going a perfect five for five. He debuted for the Zuffa in June 2008 at WEC 34, however losing via submission against Donald Cerrone. He rebounded by winning three consecutive over Rafael Dias, Phil Cardella, and Ricardo Lamas, two of which stoppage victories. He has recently been brought back down to earth losing his last two, first against Shane Roller at WEC 44, and then to Anthony Pettis in March at WEC 47.

Poirier, 21, has only been fighting as a professional for a little over a year. Upon turning pro, he made four of his seven appearances for the USA MMA organization. He has also fought for southern promotions like Cajun FC, Bang FC, and Ringside MMA. This will be his third fight of 2010; his most recent coming in June for the Ringside MMA organization, a 57-second KO of 6-1 Derek Gauthier.

Prediction – Poirier submission

 

 

Fredson Paixao vs. Bryan Caraway

A bout that was first set to happen in March will be revisited on the WEC 50 undercard when Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Fredson Paixao (9-3, 1 NC) and submission specialist Bryan Caraway (14-4) meet in a featherweight bout. The bout, previously set to go down at WEC 47, was cancelled when Caraway went down with an injury in training.

Paixao, 31, was a world champion grappler who held many titles before transitioning to mixed martial arts in 2004. He won eight of his first ten professional bouts, mostly coming while fighting in the Jungle Fight organization. He made his organizational debut at WEC 40 in April of last year losing a decision against fellow Brazilian Wagnney Fabiano. He was also tagged with a split decision loss at WEC 42 against Cole Province, but after Province failed a post-fight drug test, the bout was overturned to a no contest. He did bounce back in the must-win situation at the March WEC 47 with a 1 st round submission victory over Courtney Buck to save his job with the promotion.

Caraway, 27, is a Seattle-born mixed martial artist who trains nearby at the Victory Athletics gym. He made his professional debut in September 2005 and was impressive early on in his career winning ten of his first twelve. He has really started to transition into some notable organizations over the last two years, appearing for both Elite XC and Strikeforce. He won three in a row from November 2008 to October 2009 earning himself a WEC contract. He debuted on the January 2010 WEC 46, but was defeated in the 1st round by Canadian veteran Mark Hominick.

Prediction – Paixao submission

 

> Fans can buy UFC apparel & merchandise as well as MMA shirts and other MMA gear online through Pro Fighting Fans!

 

Ricardo Lamas vs. Dave Jansen

A lightweight match-up pitting two former wrestlers will take place on the WEC 50 preliminary card when Ricardo Lamas (8-1) meets Dave Jensen (14-1). Lamas will go for his third straight WEC victory while Jansen looks to rebound from his first career loss.

Lamas, 28, is an Illinois-born purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu who trains at the Top Notch gym. After finishing his collegiate wrestling career at Elmhurst College, he caught on as an assistant coach before making his pro MMA debut in January 2008. He fought for four different promotions in eleven months, winning all five in the process. He was signed to the WEC in 2009 and made his debut at WEC 39 with a surprising decision victory over Bart Palaszewski. He was then knocked out by Danny Castillo at WEC 42, but rebounded with back-to-back victories in his last two bouts. He defeated James Krause at WEC 44 and KO’ed Bendy Casimir with a flying knee at WEC 47 in March.

Jansen, 30, is an Oregon-born mixed martial artist who stayed in his home state to train at Team Quest. He made his professional debut over three years ago and won his first thirteen bouts including three straight for the M-1 Challenge organization. He brought his streak to fourteen straight with a WEC 43 victory over Richard Crunkilton. He was finally defeated in his most recent bout at WEC 46 by unanimous decision against Kamal Shalorus.

Prediction – Lamas decision

 

 

Javier Vazquez vs. Mackens Semerzier

Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Javier “Showtime” Vazquez (14-4) will meet BJJ purple belt Mackens Semerzier (5-1) in a preliminary card bout contested in the featherweight division. Vazquez comes in after recording his first organizational victory; Semerzier was defeated for the first time in his most recent bout.

Vazquez, 33, is a Cuban-born mixed martial artist who has been trained for most of his career by Carlson Gracie. “Showtime” debuted twelve years ago and won ten of his first twelve pro bouts while fighting for organizations such as King of the Cage and Shooto before taking more than two years off from competition. He returned in February 2007 and won his first three bouts, twice for Elite XC and once for Ultimate Chaos. He signed with the WEC in 2009 and lost his first two WEC bouts, both by very tight split decisions. After losses to LC Davis and Deividas Taurosevicius, he earned his first WEC victory at WEC 47 this past March with a 1 st round submission of Jens Pulver.

Semerzier is a Miami-born mixed martial artist who got his start while in the United State Marines. He began training while still in the military and continues to train in Virginia Brach at the Linxx Academy. He began competing as a professional in 2008 and won his first four while fighting on the North Carolina and Virginia local circuit. After only five pro fights, he was signed to fight at WEC 43 and pulled off one of the year’s biggest upsets when he submitted BJJ black belt Wagnney Fabiano. He suffered a setback in his most recent bout at WEC 46 when Deividas Taurosevicius earned a decision victory over him.

Prediction – Vazquez decision

 

 

Anthony Njokuani vs. Maciej Jewtuszko

Nigerian-American lightweight Anthony “The Assassin” Njokuani (12-3, 1 NC) will welcome Polish-import and WEC rookie Maciej “Irokez” Jewtuszko (7-0) into the organization on the WEC 50 undercard. Njokuani will try and get back in the winning column after suffering his second WEC loss in April. This will be Jewtuszko’s first bout on American soil.

Njokuani, 30, is a muay-thai striking specialist who trains out of the Janjira gym in Texas. After making his May 2003 professional debut, “The Assassin” rattled off seven straight wins while fighting on the Texas local circuit. He was dealt his first official loss when Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone defeated him at an April 2007 Ring of Fire bout; however he turned it around by winning back-to-back bouts and earning his WEC contract. He was stopped in his WEC 38 debut by the division’s current champion, Ben Henderson, however leaped up the 155-pound hierarchy with three straight “KO of Night” performances. With a possible title shot on the line, Njokuani was submitted in his most recent fight in April at WEC 48 by Shane Roller.

Jewtuszko is a four-year professional who comes to the United States for the first time in his career. “Irokez” trains in his homeland of Poland with the Berserkers Team. The muay-thai and BJJ specialist made his pro debut in late-2005. He has fought seven times in four-plus years, finishing all seven opponents, three via knockout and four with submissions. Most of his bouts have been on Polish soil; however he has also traveled to Germany for a couple fights as well. In his most recent bout this June in Germany, Jewtuszko submitted Edvardas Norkeliunas (12-6 at the time) with a heel hook 3:42 into the 1st round.

Prediction – Njokuani TKO

 



 

Bart Palaszewski vs. Zach Micklewright

Journeyman lightweight Bart “Bartimus” Palaszewski (34-13) will butt heads with WEC sophomore Zach Micklewright (7-0) on the WEC 50 main card. Both 155-pounders are coming in off of victories, “Bartimus” won in March at WEC 47 and Micklewright earned his most recent win in December at WEC 45.

Palaszewski, 27, is an eight year professional who hails from Poland but trains in Illinois at the Team Curran gym. His career got off to a rocky beginning when he lost his first four bouts, but he turned it around over the next four years while fighting in some mid-major organizations, losing only three times over his next twenty-four bouts. He then debuted for the popular IFL in April of 2006, winning eight and losing four over his two year stint. When the IFL closed their doors, he fought once for Adrenaline before catching on with the WEC. He lost two of his first three, but after he was forced to pick up a win outside of the organization, returned to win back-to-back bouts and climb back up the lightweight ladder.

Micklewright, 23, has been competing as a professional now for almost four full years. The current Miletich Fighting Systems member debuted in October 2006 and won all of his first six bouts while in the Extreme Challenge, Midwest King of the Ring, and Glory Fighting Championships organizations. After two KO’s and one submission, Micklewright was signed to the WEC where he debuted in last year’s WEC 45. The part-time US Marine showed his potential with a three round unanimous decision victory over veteran Mushin Corbbrey in that debut.

Prediction – Palaszewski decision

 

 

Scott Jorgensen vs. Brad Pickett

Surging bantamweights, Scott “Young Guns” Jorgensen (10-3) and Brad “One Punch” Pickett (19-4) will go at it on the WEC 50 main card, in a fight that has possible title implications. Jorgensen comes in a winner in all of his last four WEC bouts, and Pickett will arrive carrying a nine-fight unbeaten streak with him.

Jorgensen, 27, is a former collegiate wrestler (Boise State) turned mixed martial artist who trains in his Idaho hometown at Twisted Genetiks. After “Young Guns” debuted in June 2006, he won three of his first four bouts while fighting for Ring of Fire and Alaska FC. He moved into the Elite XC organization where he competed on the developmental Sho XC series, winning his only bout there. In February 2008 Jorgensen transitioned into the WEC, however had only limited success initially. After splitting his first four bouts in the promotion, he has made significant changes for the better and won his last four fights. His last victory came in April at WEC 48 defeating Antonio Banuelos by unanimous decision.

Pickett, 31, made his professional mixed martial arts debut in November 2004 for the Cage Rage organization and won six of his first eight bouts, including winning the organizations featherweight title. In October 2006, he began fighting outside of the Cage Rage promotion, but after only a couple of bouts for Bodog and K-1 Dynamite, returned to fight full-time in England. He made the move back to England in August 2007 winning seven straight in Cage Rage, FX3, and Ultimate Challenge organizations. He improved his winning streak to nine straight with victories in his first two WEC bouts. He earned “submission of night” honors in his December 2009 WEC 45 victory over Kyle Dietz, and most recently earned a unanimous decision victory over Demetrious Johnson this April at WEC 48.

Prediction – Pickett TKO

 

 

Cub Swanson vs. Chad Mendes

Veteran featherweight Cub Swanson (14-3) will try and derail surging Team Alpha Male fighter Chad “Money Shot” Mendes (7-0) in a WEC 50 main card bout. Both fighters are coming in off of WEC victories; Swanson won at last November’s WEC 44 and Mendes at April’s WEC 48.

Swanson, 26, is a six year professional mixed marital artist who specializes in kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The Greg Jackson-trained featherweight won nine of his first ten bouts while fighting in the Total Combat, King of the Cage, and Battle in Bakersfield promotions. He arrived in the WEC and won his first two bouts before losing and having to prove himself yet again. He won one bout outside of the organization and returned with successful results. He has won two of three since returning, losing only to current featherweight champion Jose Aldo. He won his most recent fight at WEC 44 over John Franchi this past November.

Mendes, 25, is a former All-American wrestler from Cal Poly Tech who stayed home to train with Team Alpha Male. After wrapping up his stellar college wrestling career, he made his professional debut in late 2008. He fought exclusively for Palace FC and won all five of his mid-major circuit fights to earn a place among the WEC’s 145-pounders. He debuted for the promotion in March at WEC 47 with a unanimous decision victory over Erik Koch, and then followed that up with an April WEC 48 submission victory over Anthony Morrison. He has gone to a decision in four of his seven career bouts.

Prediction – Mendes decision

 

 

Shane Roller vs. Anthony Pettis

A pair of one-loss lightweights will go at it in a crucial WEC 50 main card bout, as Team Takedown’s Shane Roller (8-2) battles Roufasport’s Anthony “Showtime” Pettis (10-1). Roller comes in with three straight WEC victories; Pettis has recorded back-to-back stoppage victories since his last loss.

Roller, 31, is a former Oklahoma State University wrestler who made the transition into MMA after his three time All-American tenure came to an end. The transition didn’t start smooth, losing his first professional bout, but after winning his next three, he was handed a WEC contract. He won his first two inside the WEC’s octagon before being defeated by the current champion Benson Henderson at WEC 40. He has rebounded quite nicely winning three consecutive bouts since then including an April WEC 48 submission of Anthony Njokuani.

Pettis, 23, is a Wisconsin-born Roufasport-trained mixed martial artist who made his professional debut in late-2007. He won his first eight official bouts which included a WEC 41 submission over Mike Campbell. His first career loss didn’t come until WEC 45 against Bart Palaszewski; however, since that loss he has rebounded with back-to-back victories defeating Danny Castillo at WEC 47 and Alex Karalexis at WEC 48 this past April. Nine of his ten victories have come by stoppage, four by KO and five via submission.

Prediction – Roller decision

 

> After the fights are complete, find the WEC 50 results & recap online at ProFighting-fans.com and look forward to the WEC 51 fight card & rumors for the first ever PPV World Extreme Cagefighting event and check out Urijah Faber's Form Athletics MMA clothing!

 

WEC 50 Main Event:

Dominick Cruz vs. Joseph Benavidez

A much-anticipated rematch pitting the current Bantamweight champion, Dominick Dominator” Cruz (15-1), versus the number one contender, Joseph Benavidez (12-1) for the 135-pound strap, will go down as the WEC 50 main event. Cruz comes in winning five straight, including his WEC 47 title claiming bout, and Benavidez comes in off of back-to-back stoppage victories.

Cruz, 24, is a San Diego-native who stays in-home to train at Alliance MMA where he specializes in boxing and wrestling. The “Dominator” debuted as a professional in January 2005 and won his first nine while fighting in the Rage in the Cage and Total Combat organizations. He first appeared in the organization at WEC 26, but was defeated by Urijah Faber for the featherweight championship, and left as soon as he came in. After a March 2008 victory in the Total Combat promotion, he returned and has won all five of his bouts since. His WEC 47 bout this past March earned him the much-coveted 135-pound belt taking it away from previous champ, Brian Bowles. Cruz has not lost in well over three full years of competition.

Benavidez, 26, is a Texas-born wrestler and kickboxer who now trains in California at Team Alpha Male. He debuted in June 2006 and went on to win his first seven fights earning himself a chance to fight in Japan for the Dream promotion. After defeating Junya Kudo at Dream 5, he brought his unbeaten streak to eight and earned his first WEC opportunity. He won his first two in the organization before dropping his August 2009 WEC 42 bout to Cruz. However, he has won both of his bouts since the loss, defeating Rani Yahya at WEC 45 and Miguel Torres at WEC 47 this past March. Ten of his twelve victories have come by stoppage, three via TKO/KO and seven by submission.

Prediction – Cruz TKO

 

 

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

 

Past WEC Previews, Predictions & Recaps: