WEC 52 from Las Vegas, Nevada
Aired on Versus from The Pearl at the Palms Casino
Report by Dot Net contributor Mark Gessner

Todd Harris and "The American Psycho" Stephan Bonnar opened up the broadcast discussing the merger of the UFC and WEC. "It really makes no sense to try to develop two brands," said Bonnar. "It's hard enough trying to develop one brand. Lets make that one brand UFC, and then you have the best fighters from the bottom to the top all over."

They then moved on to discussing the main event, Urijah Faber vs Takeya Mizugaki. Harris, pointed out that this will be Faber's debut in the Bantamweight Division. Bonnar pointed out that while some people made a big deal about him dropping weight, it is better for Faber because he was too small to fight at the Featherweight Division, and Bantam was the weight class he wrestled at in college and was a more natural weight for him. 

Gessner's Glance: While many people remember Stephan Bonnar from the bloodbath he had with Forest Griffin in the finale of the first season of The Ultimate Fighter that helped propel the UFC and MMA into the level of popularity it is at today, he recently has been doing the online post show for TUF on UFC.com.

Bonnar is a well spoken, intelligent fighter, who can help breakdown the psychology of fights to the average viewer who may be watching MMA for the first time. Plus, he's not Frank Mir, who was doing color commentary for WEC prior, so Bonnar is automatically a step up. 

1. Demetrious Johnson defeated Damacio Page via submission via Guillotine Choke at the 2:27 mark of round three.

Round One: Damacio opened the fight with a flurry of strike and takedown attempts before taking Johnson down with a Judo Head Throw to side control a little of a minute into the fight. Damacio dominated on the ground for until the 2:30 mark, where Johnson was able to get to his feet and scored a double leg takedown on Demacio. Page got up immediately and landed a huge slam to side control to regain top position with about a minute left in the first round. Damacio remained in top position for the remainder of the round.

Gessner's Glance: 10-9 Page. Damacio was on the offensive from the start of the fight and scored 3 big takedowns on Johnson, who fought the majority of the round on his back. Johnson was able to move continuously to avoid any major shots from being landed on him, but at no point in the opening five minutes was he ever in control of the fight. 

Round Two: Johnson came out aggressively to start the round, and landed a couple switch head kicks in the opening half minute. Damacio attempted a double leg takedown but Johnson stuffed it and went into a sprawl offensive top position. Damacio attempted to gain top position but Johnson never let him pass. Johnson attempted a inside leg kick but hit Page in the groin which led to a ref stoppage.

Johnson got a warning from referee Josh Rosenthal but no point was deducted. Following the timeout, Johnson landed a handful of strong leg kicks before shooting a double leg takedown on Demacio with three minutes left in the round. Johnson lands strikes from the open and half guard top positions for about one minute. Demacio was able to work his way back to his feet, but Johnson took him down immediately with another double leg. Johnson ground-and-pounded Damacio for the remaining two minutes of the round.

Gessner's Glance: Johnson 10-9. Great recovery round by Demetrious Johnson. He was on the attack early with numerous head kicks and jabs in the round prior to the stoppage for the groin kick. While getting low blowed is in no way shape or form a pleasant feeling, Damacio took nearly the entire five minutes he had to recover and I do not feel that it affected the rest of the round. Johnson showed great takedown ability with two excellent double legs and dominated the ground game for the final three minutes of the round. Good fight thus far with a decisive third round coming up next.

Round Three: Johnson opened the round with a flurry of punches and kicks and proceeded to drop a back-pedaling Damacio a left kick to the face and obtained side control nineteen seconds into the round. Johnson landed nine elbows from side control to Damacio in a thirty second span. From a back mount top position, Johnson locked in a guillotine choke on Damacio with three minutes left in the third round. Damacio tapped at the 2:27 mark.

Gessner's Glance: Johnson again was on the offensive the entire round. He frustrated Damacio Page for the entire second and third rounds. This was the first fight for Damacio in a year and the rust of a years layoff really showed following the first round. Once Johnson locked in the guillotine there was no way for him to get out of the submission other than tapping. This is the second win this month for Johnson

In his post fight interview with Craig Hummer, Johnson stated that in preparation for the fight he put in a lot of work in strength training because he knows that he is a small bantamweight fighter and that is where he needed to improve. Following the first round, his corner told him to keep his hips away from Damacio because that's how he was scoring his takedowns in the opening round. Great advice from his trainers because at no point in the final two rounds was Johnson in any danger whatsoever or on the defensive. Great opening fight. 

2. Joseph Benavidez defeated Wagnney Fabiano via submission via guillotine choke at the 2:45 mark of the round two.

Round One: In the opening three minutes of the round Benavidez and Fabiano would get in close striking range, Benavidez would throw punches or head kicks, which Bonnar pointed out looked phenomenal tonight and looked like he had improved from prior fights. Fabiano would attempt a counter jab or kick and then back away. In the remaining ninety seconds, Fabiano initiated contact twice for the first time in the round. "Pretty close round, but advantage Benavidez,"Bonnar said with twenty seconds remaining in the round. "When you throw three times as many strikes as the other guy, you're gonna win the round."

Gessner's Glance: 10-9 Benavidez. The opening round of this bantamweight fight seemed to be a five minute feeling out process. Benavidez would initiate contact with multiple strike combinations, Fabiano would counter with a strike or two, and then both fighters would back away for twenty to thirty seconds. Benavidez threw four or five great looking head kicks in the round which if he catches Fabiano with one, could end the fight instantly. With both fighters now having an idea of what the other has tonight working for them, hopefully the second round will be more action pact.

Round Two: Thirty seconds into the round, Benavidez dropped Fabiano with a strong leg kick. Benavidez landed a couple tentative strikes, respecting Fabiano's submission ability and did not want to get caught. Fabiano attempted to get up and score a single leg takedown, but Benavidez locked him in a guillotine choke. Fabiano was able to fight out of it by kicking off the cage which put Benavidez into mounted side control top position.

Benavidez locked in another guillotine choke and transitioned into a Peruvian Necktie submission but again, Fabiano was able to work his way out of the submission, and gained half guard top position. For half a minute, Fabiano went into a lay-and-pray position where in was on top on Benavidez but was in no way attempting to land any strikes or shoot for a submission. Benavidez fought his way out of bottom position, worked his way into a sprawl top position and locked in his third guillotine of the round with two and a half minutes remaining. The third time proved to be the charm, as Fabiano tapped two minutes and fourty-five seconds into the second round.

Gessner's Glance: Benavidez out worked Fabiano throughout the entire fight. In the first round, Benavidez was the one initiating the stand up attack. In the second round, he outclassed Fabiano on the ground and worked hard to gain the submission victory. Even after finally being in an offensive position for the first time in the fight, Fabiano did not attempt any offense at all while in top position in the second round. A very decisive win for Joseph Benavidez. 

A camera cut to the back to show Urijah Faber and Chad Mendes watching the finish on a monitor, and celebrating the win for their friend and teammate at Alpha Male, Joseph Benavidez.

Gessner's Glance: On a side note, Urijah Faber's KSwiss commercials with Kenny Fucking Powers are fucking awesome. That is all.

In his post fight interview, Benevidez said that Fabiano was no match for his "Joe-Jitsu" and that he has seen a lot of improvement in himself over the last year. He also said that his five round loss to Dominic Cruz this past August gave him the confidence to go one-hundred and ten miles per hour in tonights three round fight.

An ad aired for "UFC Presents WEC" on December 16 on Versus. The show is headlined by Ben Henderson (Champion) vs Anthony Pettis for the WEC Lightweight Championship and Dominick Cruz (Champion) vs Scott Jorgensen for the WEC Bantamweight Championship. This will be the final WEC show, and WEC will be absorbed into the UFC on January 1. The winner of Henderson/Pettis will face the winner of Frankie Edgar vs Gray Maynard, for the undisputed UFC Lightweight Championship, while the Bantamweight and Featherweight WEC Champions will now be recognized as UFC Champions.

Craig Hummer interview both Anthony Pettis and Ben Henderson who were in attendance tonight. Pettis said over the last year he has worked hard and became a well rounded fighter. Henderson said that in his training he has fine-tuned a couple things and is ready for his fight with Pettis and then against the winner of Edgar/Maynard.   

3. Eric Koch defeats Francisco Rivera via ref stoppage due to strikes at the 1:36 mark of the first round.

Round One: After a one minute feeling out process, Koch landed a head kick that dropped Rivera and rained down hammer fists til referee Steve Mazzagatti stepped in to stop the fight.

Gessner's Glance: Bonnar made the point at the start of the fight that this was Rivera's WEC debut and he was going up against someone who was supposed to fight the number one contender in Eric Koch, so he had nothing to lose. Apparently consciousness wasn't one of the things Bonnar took into consideration when saying Rivera had nothing to lose. 

4. Cub Swanson defeats Mackens Semerzier via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29).

Round One: Both fighters exchanged leg kicks in the opening twenty seconds of the round. Mackens caught Cubs's leg about forty seconds into the round and scored an early takedown. Mackens apparently had zero interest in working a ground game against Cub and let him up. Macken had Cub in a double underhooks clinch following the takedown but two minutes into the round, Cub scored a great Judo head throw takedown to get out of the clinch.

The third minute of the fight was a display of both fighters going for the knockout with punching combinations, kicks, and flying knees. Extremely entertaining. Mackens with a minute and a half left scored a takedown from the clinch and appeared to be attempting to stay on top to guarantee a win for the round. Cub was able to fight his way off his back. The final minute was Cub going numerous combinations against Mackens to close out the round.

Gessner's Glance:10-9 Mackens. That was the most entertaining full round of fighting on the card so far. Both fighters were just throwing looking to end the fight. Mackens scored two takedowns and but Cub was better in the stand up exchanges between the two. Mackens takes the first round most likely on judges scorecard, but could easily go either way.

Round Two: "The entire round could be a highlight real," Bonnar said coming back from commercial break while highlights of the round were shown. Agreed. The second round started where the first round left off, with both fighters firing a flurry of strikes at their opponent. At the two and a half minute mark, Cub dropped his head throwing a hook and Mackens caught him with a knee that wobbled him. Cub was able to take down Mackens with a double leg with thirty seconds left in the round and retained top position to close the round.

Gessner's Glance: Cub 10-9. In the first half of this round, I felt that Mackens was getting the better their stand up exchanges. However, at the three minute mark, Cub scored a takedown throw and closed out the round with another takedown and was in top position as the horn sounded. Awesome fight and hands down the fight of the night.

Round Three: Fifteen seconds into the final round, both fighter threw kicks and left their feet, and Mackens made contact first as Cub dropped to his back. Cub got hit with a knee again, but was able to get back on his feet, fighting his way out of half guard. Cub responded with a double leg takedown, which Mackens was able to fight his way out of. A minute and a half into the round, Mackens caught a kick from Cub and scored another takedown.

Cub got back to his feet, but at some point either Mackens has realized or his corner pointed out that Cub drops his head when he throws punching combinations, and Mackens is answering consistently with knees to the head. At the three-forty mark, Cub scored a takedown but Mackens impressively pushed him off with both legs and sent Cub flying back. Two minutes left, two takedowns a piece, one round a piece, this is the kind of fight that will get you hooked on mixed martial arts.

With ninety seconds left, Mackens was able to gain back mount control and transitioned into a choke from side control. Cub fought out but again gave up his back. Mackens rained down strikes on Cub's ribs with a minute left in the fight. Cub spent the final sixty seconds attempting to get back to his feet, and finally, with ten seconds left in the fight, did and the two threw a barrage of knockout strikes at one another to close out the fight. The horn sounded and was followed by a standing ovation by the Las Vegas crowd.

Gessner's Glance: 10-9 Mackens. The best fight of night by a landslide. At no point during the fifteen minute duration was there a dull moment. Both fighters gave it everything they had and left nothing in the tank. Very appropriate fight for Stephan Bonnar to be color commentator on because it was a sixty pound lighter version of him again Forest Griffin. Mackens dominated the final two minutes of the fight which all but guarantees him the third round. 29-28 Mackens Semerzier on my card but would not dispute Cub Swanson winning the decision.

5. Chad Mendes defeats Javier Vazquez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

Round One: Vazquez has a three inch reach advantage over Mendes while Mendes is nine years younger, which could either be seen as an advantage based on energy level, or a disadvantage in experience. Mendes scored two takedowns early on in the round. Two minutes into the fight, Mendes slammed Vazquez to escape from rubber guard and moved to open guard top mount. "Even if you're fighting well off your back you still lose the fight in MMA," said Bonnar with two minutes left in the round, which summed up the first three minutes perfectly. 

Gessner's Glance: Mendes 10-9. Chad spent over three-quarters of the fight in top position and defended submissions with ease and landed a couple good strikes. While Vazquez was more active fighting off his back, judges do not give rounds to fighters who were on their backs for almost four minutes of the round.

Round Two: Thirty seconds into the second round, Mendes connected with a flying knee and was able to stuff Vazquez's takedown attempt and gain top position. Mendes again fought out of rubber guard with a pickup and slam to open guard top position. At three minutes, Mendes gave up the mount and moved to a stand position, with Vazquez still on his back.

At the three minute and six second mark, Mendes somersaulted onto Vazquez and attempted to go to a north/south position but Vazquez caught his leg and attempted a back clinch which Mendes rolled through and gained top position. (I shit you not.) "Wrestlers are such dangerous fighters because if they take you to the ground, you're in their world and they will make your life miserable," said Harris in reference to Mendes' game plan with a minute left in the second round.

With twenty seconds left in the second round, referee Herb Dean stood up both fighters due to Mendes not attempting to advance his position. The round ended with neither fighter attempting anything following the stand up with nearly no time left on the clock.

Gessner's Glance: 10-9 Mendes. Again, he had Vazquez on his back for nearly four minutes of the fight. Judge do not give rounds to fighters on their back. Unless Vazquez scores a submission or a knockout, this is Mendes' fight to lose.

Round Three: Fifty seconds into the third and final round, Mendes scored a double leg takedown and again was is in top position. Vazquez was able to get back to his feet ninety seconds into the round. With three minutes left, Mendes connected with a head kick and shot a double leg takedown to score top position once again. With two minutes remaining in the fight, Herb Dean stood both fighters up.

Gessner's Glance: You'll stand them up while Mendes is landing shots, but you end the fight while Lesnar is still defending? Good call Dean. 

Mendes scored yet another takedown with a minute forty left in the third round. Mendes controlled the remainder of the fight from top position to close the third and final round.

Gessner's Glance: 10-9 Mendes. Once again, Mendes gained top position and held in for the majority of the fight. In the first round Vazquez outworked Mendes from bottom position but did not win the round based on being on his back eighty percent of the time. In the final two rounds, Mendes was more aggressive from top position. Mendes reminds me of a young featherweight Josh Koshcheck. At the being of his career, Koshcheck would score takedowns and then go into lay-and-pray mode. Mendes shows the same tendency at twenty-five years old but has potential to improve. 

Takeya Mizugaki came out to "Numb" by Linkin Park to start tonight's Main Event. Solid song selection. Urijah Faber came out to "California Love" by Tupac and Dr. Dre. Faber gets the win via landslide on entrance song.

6. Urijah Faber defeats Takeya Mizugaki via submission via rear naked choke at the 4:50 mark of the first round.

Round One: The main event immediately turned into a dirty boxing match against the cage, in which Faber was on the offensive for the majority of the opening two minutes. Faber was able to land solid body shots and a couple elbow shots to the head.

With a minute and ten seconds left in the round, Faber blocked a takedown attempt and moved into sprawl, and then immediately gained Mizugaki's back. Faber slapped on a rear naked choke and referee Josh Rosenthal stepped in and stopped the fight with ten seconds left in the round as Faber choked Mizugaki out cold for the win. 

Gessner's Glance: Great debut by Faber in the Bantamweight Division. He out fought Mizugaki with relative ease and dominated the vast majority of the fight. While he may not be the most deserving in the Bantamweight Division for a title shot, if Dana Wight does not make his next fight a title match based on name value and tonights fight, I'll be shocked.

Thank you for reading my coverage of tonights WEC 52. If you have any thoughts, comments, or disputes, feel free to email me kliq4life28@gmail.com or tweet me @Kliq4Life28/@mgessner28

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