WEC on Versus: Live Round-by-Round Coverage
I'll have live coverage starting at 9 PM ET. Right now, they're showing highlights of prior WEC bouts in their version of unleashed. Refresh your browser for the latest.
The coverage is behind the cut.
The hosts for the show are Todd Harris and Frank Mir.
Harris calls this the hottest ticket it town, proving he has never been to a strip club.
Just like with the UFC, the hosts run down the fight card. Note to TNA, I don't mind it when MMA companies do this because unless you read the internet, you don't always know the undercard of shows unlike you guys who set the card up every match with a story. So please stop running down cards for shows I've already purchased.
We hit a commercial break but will be back with Brian Stann.
Joe Martinez is a great ring announcer, at least his voice is perfect for the job.
Light Heavyweight Bout:
Craig "Z" Zellner: 30, 6'2, 203, 4-1-0
Vs.
"The All American" Brian Stann: 26, 6'1, 201, 3-0-0
Referee: John Shoreling
R1: Stann starts throwing down some punches, Zellner came in with his hands down a bit too low and is paying for it. Zellner shoots for a takedown but Stann is able to successfully defend. Stann has done a good job defending against Zellner's offense even escaping an armbar before the previously mentioned takedown attempt.
They're back up and trading shots, Zellner tries to shoot in again but again Stann is able to defend aginst his takedown attempts. Zellner has a cut on his right cheak. Zellner tries another armbar attempt but if this sounds familiar, Stann is able to defend.
Frank Mir predicts that a knockout of Zellner is coming if he doesn't change his levels. Stann is grounding and pounding with less than 10 seconds left in the round, and the ref steps in and stops it with about 5 seconds left in the round.
Winner: Brian Stann - 4:57 R1 TKO
Zellner was over-matched bigtime.
Mir is with Stann: and there are mic problems because they're hard to hear. They fix the problem and Stann is talking about it being an honor to serve. Stann goes through the finish with Mir and he's no more or less informative than any other fighter. He's not really charismatic but he kicks ass and that can overcome a lot...ask Chuck Liddell.
Commercial Break!!
Bodog Fight commercial airs, even if I can't watch it in my market.
We're back with Harris bragging about the WEC's Newspaper coverage.
Lightweight Bout:
Josh Smith: 25, 6'0, 155, 5-2-0
Vs.
Alex "The Assassin" Karalexis: 29, 5'8, 155, 8-2-0
Referee: Big John McCarthy
Yes, Karalexis decided his nickname should be assassin. He's pissed me off for that one.
R1: Fight starts off on the feet with both men trading shots. Smith had to wait for his debut as it was scheduled for January but his opponent had to pull out, so nothing like a 6-month wait.
Smith had a crucifix like submission going but it didn't amount to much. Karlaexis tries a takedown after they had been up against the cage, but Smith is able to defend> Karlaexis scored with a big right hand and then takes Smith down to the mat with 1:30 left in the round.
Karalexis had the top position but Smith was working hard from the bottom. Smith admonished by the ref about holding the cage. Karalexis still trying to rain down the blows as the round is coming to a close.
Scoring: Karalexis did more damage and took the round, 10-9.
R2: Smith throws a big right hand to start the round. Karalexis has his left eye nearly swollen shut so that could be a factor. Smith had a triangle but Karalexis slams him down hard. Mir is talking about Karalexis as a ring general for dropping Smith in his own corner. I'm having flashbacks to tag team wrestling commentary.
The fight is mostly ground work at this point but the crowd is not booing. I guess that's the advantage of appealing to the hardcores, they have a better understanding of the game.
Scoring: Tough one, but I'll go Karalexis 10-9. Though he should lose 10 points for using the assassin nickname, Houston Alexander should beat him down.
R3: Starts out in the clinch, but Karalexis uses another slam to take him down. Smith seems to be tiring. Karalexis is just controlling things but not a lot of stuff is happening. Smith is pretty well screwed because he can't do anything and he's behind on points.
Round is ending with Smith half-heartedly trying submissions but Karalexis is having none of it.
McCarthy deducts a point from Karalexis for a stomp to the midsection with like 5 seconds left.
Scoring: Probably 9-9 round with the deduction. Karalexis is winning this fight though.
Winner: Alex Karalexis - Majority Decision (28-28, 29-27, 29-27)
Mir with Karalexis: He says things but I really don't care because I hate his nickname.
Harris plugs the tapout reality series taking place after this card, I don't really care...more fighting!
Commercial Break!!!
We're back with a featurette on Urijah Faber and some of the others that were on the WEC media and publicity tour. We're promised a dark bout between Brock Larson and Kevin Knapjian after another commercial break.
I'll not do detailed recap of this but basically Larson wins in 0:27 via TKO.
Larson is a pretty charismatic dude, he cut a wrestling style promo before the fight talking about Knapjian being in his way and telling Carlos Condit he was coming for the belt.
The fight was brutal and even though it only went 27 seconds, it was over long before Steve Mazagatti stopped it. A big punch clocked Knapjian almost immediately and that was all she wrote though the punishment continued for a bit longer.
Larson cut another promo after the fight telling Carlos Condit to heel up and bring the belt. I love this man and he could be a star in the making.
We're back with Harris plugging WrekCage this Wednesday night.
We get comments from Hominick and Yahya. I picked Hominick to win but Yahya could walk away with this one and it wouldn't surprise me at all.
We get video comments from them both and neither is Brock Larson.
Featherweight Bout:
Rani Yahya: 22, 5'6, 145, 11-2-0
Vs.
Mark "The Machine" Hominick: 24, 5'8, 145, 13-6-0
Referee: Steve Mazagatti
R1: Yahya tries the Johnnie Morton tactic of rushing in for a takedown but Hominick is not falling for that in either sense of the phrase. Mir is talking about the things Yahya should've tried instead of just rushing in for the takedown. However, fight does go to the ground and Yahya hooks a guillotine choke and gets the submission.
Winner: Rani Yahya - 1:19 R1 Submission
I want to say that while I'm not sure how I feel about Todd Harris, Frank Mir is a pretty good commentator. In fact, better he talk than fight I say. He talks about things from the fighters perspective and really hits the strategy of what one might or should have done in a given situation. Its something Rogan lacks because of not being an actual fighter even if he does try to provide it. He's also not afraid to make a prediction about how long a fight will last.
Mir with Yahya and its a wacky interview. It is wacky as Yahya looks at the replay and says "I don't remember that".
We're going to the break but back with John Alessio Vs. Alex Serdyukov.
Now they interview the guys from Tapout.
Serdyukov says he's going to dominate the fight from beginning to end. I'll bet he doesn't. He didn't, he was choked out in round 1.
Faber and Farrar are getting ready to square off.
Featherweight Championship Bout:
Chance Farrar: 31, 5'9, 145, 5-0-0
Vs.
Urijah "California Kid" Faber: 28, 5'6, 144, 18-1-0
Referee: Herb Dean
Farrar is making his WEC debut. He got a title shot on his debut, who is he Hulk Hogan?
R1: The fight starts out mostly trading on the feet. Harris points out that Faber is approaching this differently than his last 2 fights because in those fights he looked to end it quickly and rushed in to do so.
We're seeing some technical grappling in this round. When I started writing that Faber hooked in a choke and ended the fight.
Winner: Urijah Faber - 3:19 R1 submission
Mir with Faber: He knows about the atomic butt-drop and says he'd been working on it and he pointed it out in the highlights.
My thoughts on the show: It wasn't a homerun by any means, but it was a good solid show. Faber winnimg helped but it didn't fit the profile of "come watch these featherweights really move" that they'd been going for. The fights all ending quickly save for the Karalexis fight probably didn't help nor hurt when it comes down to it. Brock Larson needs to be featured because he's charismatic as hell. It won't do any kind of a rating but it will probably do better than most of what airs on Versus now so I'm thinking they'll see it as a success.
Continue Reading!
The coverage is behind the cut.
The hosts for the show are Todd Harris and Frank Mir.
Harris calls this the hottest ticket it town, proving he has never been to a strip club.
Just like with the UFC, the hosts run down the fight card. Note to TNA, I don't mind it when MMA companies do this because unless you read the internet, you don't always know the undercard of shows unlike you guys who set the card up every match with a story. So please stop running down cards for shows I've already purchased.
We hit a commercial break but will be back with Brian Stann.
Joe Martinez is a great ring announcer, at least his voice is perfect for the job.
Light Heavyweight Bout:
Craig "Z" Zellner: 30, 6'2, 203, 4-1-0
Vs.
"The All American" Brian Stann: 26, 6'1, 201, 3-0-0
Referee: John Shoreling
R1: Stann starts throwing down some punches, Zellner came in with his hands down a bit too low and is paying for it. Zellner shoots for a takedown but Stann is able to successfully defend. Stann has done a good job defending against Zellner's offense even escaping an armbar before the previously mentioned takedown attempt.
They're back up and trading shots, Zellner tries to shoot in again but again Stann is able to defend aginst his takedown attempts. Zellner has a cut on his right cheak. Zellner tries another armbar attempt but if this sounds familiar, Stann is able to defend.
Frank Mir predicts that a knockout of Zellner is coming if he doesn't change his levels. Stann is grounding and pounding with less than 10 seconds left in the round, and the ref steps in and stops it with about 5 seconds left in the round.
Winner: Brian Stann - 4:57 R1 TKO
Zellner was over-matched bigtime.
Mir is with Stann: and there are mic problems because they're hard to hear. They fix the problem and Stann is talking about it being an honor to serve. Stann goes through the finish with Mir and he's no more or less informative than any other fighter. He's not really charismatic but he kicks ass and that can overcome a lot...ask Chuck Liddell.
Commercial Break!!
Bodog Fight commercial airs, even if I can't watch it in my market.
We're back with Harris bragging about the WEC's Newspaper coverage.
Lightweight Bout:
Josh Smith: 25, 6'0, 155, 5-2-0
Vs.
Alex "The Assassin" Karalexis: 29, 5'8, 155, 8-2-0
Referee: Big John McCarthy
Yes, Karalexis decided his nickname should be assassin. He's pissed me off for that one.
R1: Fight starts off on the feet with both men trading shots. Smith had to wait for his debut as it was scheduled for January but his opponent had to pull out, so nothing like a 6-month wait.
Smith had a crucifix like submission going but it didn't amount to much. Karlaexis tries a takedown after they had been up against the cage, but Smith is able to defend> Karlaexis scored with a big right hand and then takes Smith down to the mat with 1:30 left in the round.
Karalexis had the top position but Smith was working hard from the bottom. Smith admonished by the ref about holding the cage. Karalexis still trying to rain down the blows as the round is coming to a close.
Scoring: Karalexis did more damage and took the round, 10-9.
R2: Smith throws a big right hand to start the round. Karalexis has his left eye nearly swollen shut so that could be a factor. Smith had a triangle but Karalexis slams him down hard. Mir is talking about Karalexis as a ring general for dropping Smith in his own corner. I'm having flashbacks to tag team wrestling commentary.
The fight is mostly ground work at this point but the crowd is not booing. I guess that's the advantage of appealing to the hardcores, they have a better understanding of the game.
Scoring: Tough one, but I'll go Karalexis 10-9. Though he should lose 10 points for using the assassin nickname, Houston Alexander should beat him down.
R3: Starts out in the clinch, but Karalexis uses another slam to take him down. Smith seems to be tiring. Karalexis is just controlling things but not a lot of stuff is happening. Smith is pretty well screwed because he can't do anything and he's behind on points.
Round is ending with Smith half-heartedly trying submissions but Karalexis is having none of it.
McCarthy deducts a point from Karalexis for a stomp to the midsection with like 5 seconds left.
Scoring: Probably 9-9 round with the deduction. Karalexis is winning this fight though.
Winner: Alex Karalexis - Majority Decision (28-28, 29-27, 29-27)
Mir with Karalexis: He says things but I really don't care because I hate his nickname.
Harris plugs the tapout reality series taking place after this card, I don't really care...more fighting!
Commercial Break!!!
We're back with a featurette on Urijah Faber and some of the others that were on the WEC media and publicity tour. We're promised a dark bout between Brock Larson and Kevin Knapjian after another commercial break.
I'll not do detailed recap of this but basically Larson wins in 0:27 via TKO.
Larson is a pretty charismatic dude, he cut a wrestling style promo before the fight talking about Knapjian being in his way and telling Carlos Condit he was coming for the belt.
The fight was brutal and even though it only went 27 seconds, it was over long before Steve Mazagatti stopped it. A big punch clocked Knapjian almost immediately and that was all she wrote though the punishment continued for a bit longer.
Larson cut another promo after the fight telling Carlos Condit to heel up and bring the belt. I love this man and he could be a star in the making.
We're back with Harris plugging WrekCage this Wednesday night.
We get comments from Hominick and Yahya. I picked Hominick to win but Yahya could walk away with this one and it wouldn't surprise me at all.
We get video comments from them both and neither is Brock Larson.
Featherweight Bout:
Rani Yahya: 22, 5'6, 145, 11-2-0
Vs.
Mark "The Machine" Hominick: 24, 5'8, 145, 13-6-0
Referee: Steve Mazagatti
R1: Yahya tries the Johnnie Morton tactic of rushing in for a takedown but Hominick is not falling for that in either sense of the phrase. Mir is talking about the things Yahya should've tried instead of just rushing in for the takedown. However, fight does go to the ground and Yahya hooks a guillotine choke and gets the submission.
Winner: Rani Yahya - 1:19 R1 Submission
I want to say that while I'm not sure how I feel about Todd Harris, Frank Mir is a pretty good commentator. In fact, better he talk than fight I say. He talks about things from the fighters perspective and really hits the strategy of what one might or should have done in a given situation. Its something Rogan lacks because of not being an actual fighter even if he does try to provide it. He's also not afraid to make a prediction about how long a fight will last.
Mir with Yahya and its a wacky interview. It is wacky as Yahya looks at the replay and says "I don't remember that".
We're going to the break but back with John Alessio Vs. Alex Serdyukov.
Now they interview the guys from Tapout.
Serdyukov says he's going to dominate the fight from beginning to end. I'll bet he doesn't. He didn't, he was choked out in round 1.
Faber and Farrar are getting ready to square off.
Featherweight Championship Bout:
Chance Farrar: 31, 5'9, 145, 5-0-0
Vs.
Urijah "California Kid" Faber: 28, 5'6, 144, 18-1-0
Referee: Herb Dean
Farrar is making his WEC debut. He got a title shot on his debut, who is he Hulk Hogan?
R1: The fight starts out mostly trading on the feet. Harris points out that Faber is approaching this differently than his last 2 fights because in those fights he looked to end it quickly and rushed in to do so.
We're seeing some technical grappling in this round. When I started writing that Faber hooked in a choke and ended the fight.
Winner: Urijah Faber - 3:19 R1 submission
Mir with Faber: He knows about the atomic butt-drop and says he'd been working on it and he pointed it out in the highlights.
My thoughts on the show: It wasn't a homerun by any means, but it was a good solid show. Faber winnimg helped but it didn't fit the profile of "come watch these featherweights really move" that they'd been going for. The fights all ending quickly save for the Karalexis fight probably didn't help nor hurt when it comes down to it. Brock Larson needs to be featured because he's charismatic as hell. It won't do any kind of a rating but it will probably do better than most of what airs on Versus now so I'm thinking they'll see it as a success.
Labels: Chance Farrar, Mixed Martial Arts, OCC Television Coverage, Urijah Faber, WEC
Continue Reading!
posted by Casey Trowbridge at 6/03/2007 07:38:00 PM
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