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Josh “The Fluke†Grispi (12-1-0) vs. Jens “Lil’ Evil†Pulver (22-11-1)
Josh Grispi has been an undefeated fighter thus far in WEC competition, with victories coming over Mark Hominick and Micah Miller. Before coming to the WEC, Josh Grispi was a veteran of the Full Force Productions promotion, where he holds victories over Eddie Felix, Fernando Bernandino, Paul Gorman and Spencer Paige. Of his thirteen career fights, only one has gone past the opening round, which speaks to the fighters finishing abilities. Josh Grispi is a fighter who is comfortable wherever the fight ends up, with eleven victories coming by knockout and submission. Jens Pulver is a well traveled MMA veteran who has fought in promotions like the UFC, WEC, PRIDE and the International Fight League. During his long MMA career, Jens Pulver has fought Din Thomas, Caol Uno, Dennis Hallman, BJ Penn, Duane Ludwig, Joe Lauzon, Urijah Faber and Leonard Garcia. Jens Pulver has had a rough run thus far in his WEC career, winning only one of his four fights in the promotion. Jens Pulver will be looking to use his striking skills to gain the victory, with thirteen victories coming by knockout.
My Prediction: Josh Grispi
WEC Lightweight Division Fight
Donald “Cowboy†Cerrone (9-1-0) vs. James Krause (10-0-0)
Donald Cerrone returns to the WEC after a controversial stoppage at WEC 39: Varner vs. Cerrone cost him his opportunity at the WEC Lightweight Title. Prior to the loss, Donald Cerrone defeated Danny Castillo and Rob McCullough in WEC competition, and he fought Kenneth Alexander to a no contest. In his professional MMA debut, Donald Cerrone attained a victory over UFC veteran Nate Mohr. Prior to the loss to Jamie Varner, Donald Cerrone was on a nine fight undefeated streak that lasted over two years. Donald Cerrone will be looking to put this fight on the ground, with eight prior victories coming by way of submission. James Krause is an undefeated fighter who is making his WEC debut in this fight, but he is a veteran of the Titan Fighting Championships and International Fighting Championships promotions. Of his ten professional fights, only one has gone past the opening round, which speaks to the finishing abilities of James Krause. James Krause will be looking to put this fight on the ground, with eight previous victories coming by way of submission.
My Prediction: Donald Cerrone
WEC Featherweight Division Fight
Jose “Junior†Aldo (14-1-0) vs. Cub Swanson (13-2-0)
Jose Aldo has had a dominating run thus far in WEC competition, with victories over Alexandre Franca Nogueira, Jonathan Brookins, Rolando Perez and Chris Mickle. Prior to competing in the WEC, Jose Aldo competed in many international MMA organizations like Pancrase and Shooto. It has been rumored that if Jose Aldo wins this fight over Cub Swanson, he will be in line for a WEC Featherweight Title shot. Jose Aldo will be looking to use his striking skills in the fight, with nine victories coming by way of knockout. Cub Swanson is also a veteran of WEC competition, having defeated Tommy Lee, Micah Miller and Hiroyuki Takaya, while suffering a loss to Jens Pulver. Cub Swanson is also a veteran of other promotions like Total Combat and King Of The Cage, where he fought UFC veteran Shannon Gugerty and WEC veteran Charlie Valencia. In has been over six months since Cub Swanson last competed in a fight, so conditioning could play a factor in the fight. Cub Swanson is a fighter who is comfortable wherever the fight ends up, with ten victories coming by knockout or submission.
My Prediction: Jose Aldo
WEC Featherweight Title Fight
Mike Brown (21-4-0) *Champion* vs. “The California Kid†Urijah Faber (22-2-0)
Mike Brown became the WEC Featherweight Champion after defeating Urijah Faber in their first encounter at WEC 36: Faber vs. Brown. Mike Brown has then successfully defended the title once by defeating then top contender Leonard Garcia at WEC 39: Brown vs. Garcia. The only other WEC fight thus far in Mike Brown’s career was a victory over Jeff Curran at WEC 34: Sacramento. Mike Brown has also spent a little time in the UFC, losing to Genki Sudo by submission at UFC 47 in 2004. Mike Brown will be looking to put this fight on the ground, with twelve victories coming by way of submission. Urijah Faber is a longtime veteran of WEC competition and is the former WEC Featherweight Champion, but has defeated Cole Escovedo, Joe Pearson, Dominick Cruz, Chance Farrar, Jeff Curran and Jens Pulver (x2), with the lone loss coming to Mike Brown. Urijah Faber is also a veteran of the Gladiator Challenge and King Of The Cage promotions, where he fought top MMA names like Tyson Griffin, Charles Bennett and Charlie Valencia. Urijah Faber is a fighter who is comfortable wherever the fight ends up, with eighteen victories coming by way of knockout and submission.
My Prediction: Mike Brown
(Note: I will be doing live coverage of WEC 41: Brown vs. Faber II on Sunday June 7th at 9pm. EST. right here on PWInsiderXtra.com)
You can contact David Tees at bigtees360@yahoo.com
