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WEC 43 Predictions: WEC 43 Preview & Predictions

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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 43 is fast approaching and you can find the WEC 43 fight card and preview below.

The next event for WEC will be WEC 43 on September 2, 2009 in Youngstown, Ohio, and the event will feature the Interim WEC Lightweight Championship fight between Donald Cerrone and Ben Henderson. You can also view our review of the WEC 42 results which featured the WEC Bantamweight Championship bout as Brian Bowles shocked the MMA world with a stunning upset of Miguel Angel Torres. Fans can now buy WEC tickets online through Pro Fighting Fans to all of these exciting WEC events.

While it may not have the same level of mainstream appeal as the WEC’s most recent events, which featured notables such as Miguel Torres and Urijah Faber, WEC 43, taking place Wednesday, September 2 at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown, Ohio holds serious promise to deliver several fast-paced and exciting affairs at the lighter weight classes.

Featuring a replacement main event pitting top lightweight contenders Donald Cerrone and Ben Henderson against one another for the Interim WEC Lightweight Championship, WEC 43 also features a worthwhile undercard with notable bantamweight Damacio Page along with featherweights Rafael Assuncao and Wagnney Fabiano.

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Preliminary WEC 43 Fights:

Devidas Taurosevicius vs. Mark Hominick (145lbs)

With only three losses dotting his professional resume—two of which were to highly ranked lightweight fighters Frank Edgar and Ryan Shultz—Taurosevicius (10-3 MMA) is a promising addition to the WEC’s stacked 145lb weight class. While the Lithuanian should be competitive throughout the three round affair, do not expect him to make quick work of the experienced, albeit inconsistent Hominick (16-8 MMA), who trains under Shawn Tompkins in Las Vegas, Nevada. Look for this fight between finishers to go the distance in what could be fight of the night.

Prediction: Hominick over Taurosevicius by Unanimous Decision

Charlie Valencia vs. Coty Wheeler (135lbs)

While Valencia (10-5 MMA) has been inconsistent at best within the WEC, his list of opponents combined for a resume that puts Wheeler’s (10-1 MMA) to shame. This one could turn out to be a coming out party for WEC newcomer Wheeler, but the safe bet would be to go with the fighter who has been in with the big boys—relatively speaking—and come out better for it.

Prediction: Valencia over Wheeler by Unanimous Decision

Anthony Njokuani vs. Muhsin Corbbrey (155lbs)

A lightweight battle between promising up and comers Njokuani (10-2 MMA) and Corbbrey (8-3 MMA) should prove exciting, even if it only lasts half a round. In an interesting bit of matchmaking, Njokuani has only been defeated twice in his professional career, once each to WEC 43 headliners Donald Cerrone and Ben Henderson, with both losses coming by way of submission. Corbbrey would be wise to use Njokuani’s possible submission weakness against him, as he is unlikely to last long on the feet.

Prediction: Njokuani over Corbbrey by TKO (Round 1)

Eddie Whineland vs. Manny Tapia (135lbs)

While Whineland (14-6-2 MMA) defeated Antonio Banuelos back in 2006 to become the first WEC Bantamweight Champion, he has been less than impressive in subsequent appearances, most recently losing to Brazilian Rani Yahya in April at WEC 40. Tapia (10-2-1 MMA) is on a two fight losing streak, albeit to former Bantamweight Champion Miguel Torres and notable bantamweight Akitoshi Tamura, but he should pack enough dynamite in his fists to put Whineland out of the WEC for the time being.

Prediction: Tapia over Whineland by KO (Round 1)

Wagnney Fabiano vs. Erik Koch (145lbs)

It is no secret that while Koch (8-0 MMA) is undefeated to this point in his professional career, it is a serious stretch to imagine him outworking talented Brazilian submission ace Fabiano (12-1 MMA) on September 2. In what is probably the most obvious bit of match making on the card, WEC executives are clearly trying to keep Fabiano in line for a title—either at 145lbs or 135lbs—by giving him a relatively green, albeit undefeated unknown.

Prediction: Fabiano over Koch by Unanimous Decision

Rafael Rebello vs. Scott Jorgensen (135lbs)

While putting significant stock in common opponents in generally frowned upon in a sport as unpredictable as mixed martial arts, both Rebello (6-3 MMA) and Jorgensen (6-3 MMA) have matching, if unspectacular professional records. The one common denominator between the two is a Japanese fighter named Kenji Osawa, a man Jorgensen overcame on the judges’ scorecards, and a man Rebello lost to in the same fashion. Neither fighters is an exceptionally explosive finisher, so this one could go the distance.

Prediction: Jorgensen over Rebello by Split Decision

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WEC 43 Main Bouts:

Rafael Assuncao vs. Yves Jabouin (145lbs)

A featherweight battle between one of the hottest prospects in the WEC against an eight-year veteran of the sport will begin the night’s cable broadcast as Brazilian submission ace Assuncao (13-1 MMA) takes on WEC newcomer Jabouin (14-4 MMA). Jabouin has tangled with only one notable fighter on his local circuit, a TKO loss to UFC lightweight Sam Stout five years ago, while Assuncao has quietly plugged away at the featherweight rankings, picking up notable victories over lightweight standouts Joe Lauzon and Jorge Masvidal along the way. If there was such a thing a sure bet in MMA, this one would fit the bill.

Prediction: Assuncao over Jabouin by Unanimous Decision

> After the fights are complete, find the WEC 43 results & recap online at ProFighting-fans.com and look forward to the WEC 44 fight card & rumors for the next big World Extreme Cagefighting event!

Damacio Page vs. Akitoshi Tamura (135lbs)

While both Page (11-4 MMA) and Tamura (13-7-2 MMA) have compiled some impressive victories at bantamweight, this one should come down to superior finishing power. In that respect, Page has the edge both on the feet and on the ground. This one should be explosive, and it should end the same way, with Page’s hand raised, and Tamura’s mouth guard drying on the canvas.

Prediction: Page over Tamura by KO (Round 2)

Richard Crunkilton vs. Dave Jansen (155lbs)

In what is probably the weakest overall division in the WEC, Crunkilton (16-2 MMA) and Jansen (13-0 MMA) battle for some legitimacy in the eyes of the WEC brass. While Crunkilton has had a shot at lightweight gold in the past—a losing effort to former champion Rob McCullough—do not expect him to get back there, as Jansen’s unbeaten record will remain intact, along with his standing as a potential title challenger after September 2.

Prediction: Jansen over Crunkilton by Submission (Rear Naked Choke - Round 2)

WEC 43 Main Event - WEC Interim Lightweight Championship Bout:

Donald Cerrone vs. Ben Henderson

While something of an underwhelming main event coming on the heels of showdowns for the featherweight and bantamweight titles respectively, the interim lightweight title fight between Cerrone (10-1, 1 NC MMA) and Henderson (9-1 MMA) should do its billing as a main event nicely regardless. Both fighters bring youth and tenacity into the cage, as well as well-rounded finishing capabilities.

Henderson has rebounded from a 2006 knockout loss to Chad Klingensmith with eight consecutive victories, two of which have come in the WEC against respectable opposition in Shane Roller and Anthony Njokuani. He is a powerful wrestler with real knockout power and solid submission skills, making him a very live underdog.

Unfortunately for Henderson, everything he can do, Cerrone can do better. The “Cowboy”, who began his career with an impressive 9-0 mark, has been on the big stage more, losing a controversial decision to current lightweight champion Jamie Varner back in January after kneeing the defending champion while he was on the ground. Aside from that hiccup, Cerrone has never been finished, and his submission skills are truly top-notch. While he can stand and trade with Henderson for five rounds, the safest bet for Cerrone would be to use his training with UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre to his advantage, opting to play to his strengths rather than his opponent’s.

Prediction: Cerrone over Henderson by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) (Round 3)

As a special note, don’t forget to check back at ProFighting-fans.com on September 2 for live coverage of the entire WEC 43 fight card, as ProFighting-fans.com Editor-in-Chief Scott Dryden will be blogging live from the Covelli Centre in Youngstown, Ohio.

By Steven T. Kelliher
ProFighting-fans.com Senior Staff Writer