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Danny Castillo (8-1-0) vs. Shane Roller (6-2-0)
Danny Castillo has had a successful run in the WEC, defeating Ricardo Lamas, Rafael Dias and Phil Cardella, while suffering a lone loss to Donald Cerrone. Danny Castillo is also a veteran of the Cage Combat Fighting Championships and Gladiator Challenge promotions, where he defeated Billy Terry, Gigo Jara, Noah Shinable and Isaiah Hill. Danny Castillo will be entering this fight with a three fight winning streak and hasn’t lost a fight in over a year. Danny Castillo is a fighter who is comfortable wherever the fight ends up, with seven victories coming by knockout and submission. Shane Roller has also had a successful run in the WEC, defeating Todd Moore, Mike Budnik and Marcus Hicks, while suffering a defeat to Benson Henderson. Early in his MMA career, Shane Roller went on a five fight winning streak, which had lasted nearly two years. Of his eight professional fights, only one has gone to a decision, which speaks to Shane Roller’s finishing abilities. Shane Roller is a fighter who is comfortable wherever the fight ends up, with five victories coming by knockout and submission.
My Prediction: Danny Castillo
WEC Lightweight Division Fight
“Razor†Rob McCullough (17-5-0) vs. Karen Darabedyan (8-1-0)
Rob McCullough has had a long run in the WEC, defeating Jesse Heck, Olaf Alfonso, Randy Hauer, Ryan Healy, Kit Cope, Richard Crunkilton Jr., Kenneth Alexander and Marcus Hicks, while suffering defeats to Harris Sarmiento, Jamie Varner and Donald Cerrone. Rob McCullough is also the former WEC Lightweight Champion, who lost his title to Jamie Varner at WEC 32 in 2008. It has been over three years since Rob McCullough last competed outside of the WEC, last competing in the World Fighting Alliance. Rob McCullough will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with nine victories coming by knockout. Karen Darabedyan will be making his WEC debut in this fight, but already holds a victory over Elite XC veteran Joe Camacho. Karen Darabedyan will be entering the fight with a six fight winning streak, which has lasted over a full year. Karen Darabedyan started off his MMA career in impressive fashion, with a two fight undefeated streak that lasted over a year. Karen Darabedyan will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with three victories coming by knockout.
My Prediction: Rob McCullough
WEC Featherweight Division Fight
Manny “Pitbull†Cambrian (9-4-0) vs. Leonard “Bad Boy†Garcia (13-4-0)
Manny Gamburyan made his official WEC debut at WEC 41 in mid-2009, defeating John Franchi by unanimous decision. Manny Gamburyan also had a decent run in the UFC, with victories over Nate Mohr and Jeff Cox, while suffering defeats to Nate Diaz, Robert Emerson and Thiago Tavares. Before entering the UFC in 2007, Manny Gamburyan fought other UFC veterans like Sean Sherk, Jorge Santiago and Sam Morgan. Manny Gamburyan will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with six victories coming by way of submission. Leonard Garcia has had a successful run in the WEC, defeating Hiroyuki Takaya, Jens Pulver and Jameel Massouh, while suffering a lone loss to Mike Brown. Leonard Garcia also had a short run in the UFC, defeating Allen Berubie, while suffering losses to Roger Huerta and Cole Miller. Leonard Garcia also had an impressive winning streak earlier in his career, winning eight straight fights as the streak lasted over seven years. Leonard Garcia will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with nine victories coming by way of submission.
My Prediction: Leonard Garcia
WEC Featherweight Title Fight
Mike Brown (22-4-0) (Champion) vs. Jose “Junior†Aldo (15-1-0)
Mike Brown is the current WEC Featherweight Champion and has gone undefeated in the WEC, defeating Urijah Faber, Jeff Curran and Leonard Garcia. During his illustrious MMA career, Mike Brown has fought top MMA fighters like Hermes Franca, Mark Hominick, Genki Sudo, Joe Lauzon and Yves Edwards. Mike Brown will be entering the fight riding a ten fight winning streak, which has currently lasted over three full years. Mike Brown will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with twelve victories coming by way of submission. Jose Aldo has gone undefeated in WEC competition, defeating Alexandre Franca Nogueira, Jonathan Brookins, Rolando Perez, Chris Mickle and Cub Swanson. The lone loss of Jose Aldo’s career came to Luciano Azevedo, which occurred at the Jungle Fight 5 event in late 2005. Jose Aldo started off his MMA career in impressive fashion, with a seven fight undefeated streak that lasted over a year. Jose Aldo will be entering the fight riding an eight fight winning streak, that has lasted over three full years. Jose Aldo will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with ten victories coming by way of knockout.
My Prediction: Jose Aldo
(Note: I will be doing live coverage of WEC 44: Brown vs. Aldo, right here on PWInsiderXtra on Wednesday November 18th at 9pm EST.)
You can contact David Tees at bigtees360@yahoo.com
