WEC 35 predictions and preview

WEC 35 is set to take place live tonight from "The Joint" at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event will air on the cable channel Versus beginning at 9 p.m. ET.
It's been more than two months now since WEC 34, which was highlighted by an "old vs. new" five round featherweight war between Urijah "The California Kid" Faber and Jens "Little Evil" Pulver. That show was a success when compared to the network debut for Elite XC on CBS, which took place during the same weekend.
With three titles on the line (welterweight, light heavyweight and lightweight), and some sick under card action set to take place, WEC 35 has the makings to be just as exciting as WEC 34 was ... if not more. To get you ready for another solid weekend of mixed martial arts action with WEC, we've detailed each of the main card fights and provided some predictions as well.
Here we go:
WEC Welterweight Champion Carlos Condit (22-4) vs. Hiromitsu Miura (9-4)
Miura has won his last two fights for WEC, his most recent of which, a first round knockout against Blas Avena, was his first at 170 pounds.
Making the move from middleweight will give Miura a size and strength advantage in this fight. Whether that will make a difference against a technician the caliber of Condit is the question for the Japanese fighter.
If you look at the champ's fight history, he's had little to no trouble with bigger, stronger and more controlling opponents. He handled Brock Larson, who is an absolute beast, in half a round. He submitted Frank Trigg in the first round once upon a time. He submitted John Alessio, Carlo Prater and the list goes on and on.
With that said, Miura has never been submitted in a fight. He's been knocked out three times and lost a decision once, but has never tapped out. That certainly could change against a guy like Condit, who has 12 career wins by submission. But even if Miura's submission defense holds against "The Natural Born Killer," he'll still have to deal with Condit's underrated Muay Thai game, which has netted him nine career knockouts.
It's a pick your poison with Carlos Condit. He hasn't been able to showcase his stand up arsenal too much recently because he's been scoring early submissions, but that doesn't mean the guy doesn't have a solid all around game. This fight could be that chance for Condit to display his versatility.
Either way, I don't see Miura making it out of the first round. In fact, I think Condit will serve him up his first career submission.
Final prediction: Condit via first round submission
WEC Light Heavyweight Champion Brian Stann (6-0) vs. Steve Cantwell (5-1)
Stann won the light heavyweight gold by dispatching Doug Marshall relatively easy with a first round technical knockout back in March. In fact, all six of Stann's professional mixed martial arts wins have been by first round knockout, one of which was against Steve Cantwell in March of 2007 just 41 seconds into the fight.
With that being Cantwell's lone loss in his young career, he'll be looking for revenge tomorrow night. Whether he gets that revenge against a monster like Stann is another story.
But Cantwell says he feels he should have won their first fight despite only lasting 41 seconds. "I should have won the first time. He just had a lot of things going for him. This is going to be my fight. It’s my redemption," said Cantwell.
It's good to have confidence, and a solid gameplan, but like it's said in this sport, "everybody has a gameplan until they get hit."
However, the same can be said to the champ. Steve Cantwell is also a large man who can hit you very hard. The two stood toe to toe last time, and Stann's power prevailed, but that doesn't mean it can't go in Cantwell's favor this time.
Either way, this is going to be a fun fight. There's no way this fight makes it past round two, if that, and those are the type of fights that favor Brian Stann. I got the champ retaining his belt in this one.
Final prediction: Stann via first round knockout
WEC Lightweight Champion Jamie "The Worm" Varner (14-2) vs. Marcus "The Wrecking Ball" Hicks (8-0)
Jamie Varner defeated "Razor" Rob McCullough back in February to win the WEC lightweight gold. A win over a fighter like "Razor" Rob is certainly a nice feather in one's cap, but it doesn't get any easier defending your belt once you win it.
Marcus Hicks is an animal, or a "wrecking ball" as his nickname suggests. He has stormed through the competition in his three WEC fights, defeating Ed Ratcliff, Scott McAfee, and Sergio Gomez each by guillotine. He has definitely earned this title shot with his dominating presence inside the cage.
This is an interesting match up of submission style fighters who can also bang. Varner is riding high on confidence, but Hicks isn't short in that department either. "I think we match up pretty good, but at the end of the end of the night I’m sure I’m going to win," said Hicks of his opponent.
Varner is almost ten years younger than Hicks, yet has twice as many fights. The champ certainly feels like his experience will help him pick apart the dangerous Hicks. Here's what he had to say about his opponent:
"He’s very dangerous. He can knock you out on his feet. He’s heavy handed and he’s got really good jiu-jitsu. He’s a tough dude. He poses many challenges and a lot of people think he will beat me. But I really see me having to pick him apart. I don’t see this fight taking more than two rounds. I just feel like I’m better and I’m going to go out and prove that. He is tough, but I will beat him."
This fight could win fight of the night. There will be no shortage of action, that's for sure.
Hicks is a little too powerful and a little too explosive for Varner to finish, unless he can wear him out and allow his cardio to prevail in the later rounds, but there's no reason to suggest Hick's cardio isn't solid, we just haven't had an opportunity to see it put to the test yet.
With this being a five round championship fight, there's a decent chance we'll see that tomorrow night.
My gut feeling says Varner will know how to deal with this guy, and he'll pull out a tough, hard fought win, but I'm going with who I feel is the more talented fighter, and that's Marcus Hicks.
Regardless, this should be a war!
Final prediction: Marcus Hicks via second round submission
Brian Bowles (5-0) vs. Damacio "The Angel of Death" Page (10-3)
Bowles has defeated two very solid opponents (Charlie Valencia and Marcos Galvao) inside the WEC cage. He's a twenty eight year old fighter who looks to have all the tools to be a force in the bantamweight division.
His opponent Page has a little more experience, and a slight size advantage coming from fighting at 155 pounds previously. He too looks like a good prospect at 135 pounds for WEC. He boasts a nice all around game with finishing abilities both on the feet and on the ground.
This should be an exciting match up, but one I have Brain Bowles winning. "The Angel of Death" is no pushover, but Bowles has looked close to unbeatable at times lately. He's got great strength and movement, and he understands the game like a fighter who has thirty career fights, not five.
We're looking at another fight of the night candidate here, but Bowles is destined for a shot at Miguel Torres' title sooner or later. I don't see Page sidetracking him with a loss at this point.
Final prediction: Bowles via second round technical knockout
Josh "The Fluke" Grispi (8-1) vs. Micah Miller (9-1)
Younger brother of UFC fighter, Cole Miller, Micah has made a small name for himself over the past few months. He had a setback last year with a loss to Cub Swanson, but has been impressive since with two solid wins over Steve Kinnison and Chance Farrar.
Like his brother, he's tall and lanky, with good submissions and a nice striking game with crisp kicks and punches. He's a match up problem for a lot of fighters at 145 pounds, including the tough as nails, Josh Grispi.
"The Fluke" beat Mark Hominick in his WEC debut in February with a first round rear naked choke. He has a wide variety of ways to finish a fight as well, with four knockouts and four submissions to his credit. In fact, Grispi has never been out of the first round in any of his fights.
I would say Grispi is the more aggressive fighter, but Miller is the better technician. If Miller can weather the early storm and take the fight into the second and third rounds, his chances increase, but if Miller allows himself to be overwhelmed by the attack of Grispi, he could be in trouble. I just don't think Micah can come into this fight with a slow start and beat Josh Grispi.
This is another tough call, but I like Miller.
Final prediction: Miller via second round submission
The under card of this event is littered with former number one contenders and some great match ups as well. Here's a look at the rest of the card for WEC 35:
170 lbs.: Brock Larson vs. Carlo Prater
170 lbs.: Blas Avena vs. Dave Terrel
145 lbs.: Cub Swanson vs. Hiroyuki Takaya
155 lbs.: Shane Roller vs. Todd Moore
155 lbs.: Mike Budnik vs. Greg McIntyre
135 lbs.: Scott Jorgensen vs. Kenji Osawa
This should be another very good event for WEC, who has been steadily raising the bar as far as expectations go. With three title fights and a number of other quality, show stealer type of matches, this card cannot disappoint.
Remember to tune in tomorrow night to Versus at 9 p.m. ET, and don't forget to check MMAmania.com early and often for all your WEC 35 coverage.
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31 comments
Comments
I really dont see Condit winning by submission! I do think Condit will win the fight, but I doubt and I will be shocked if its by submission. In General, Japanese fighters are almost impossible to submit, miura has never been submitted and although I love Carlos ground game, I think condit will have to win this fight on his feet, which he is more then capable of doing!
by john on Aug 3, 2008 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
EliteXC news: Joey Villasenyor may fight Ninja on SEptember 20th!
by john on Aug 3, 2008 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
JOHN. WANDI is indeed coming back in dec. he says that he has 10 names listed as posssible opponents and rampage could def be one of them. i kind of look at this as good and bad news. good that he fighting again, bad that we have to wait until dec. oh well. i hope he either does fight rampage(dont know if that will be possible) or the machida,silva winner cuz i think chuck is gonna be fighting forrest next.
by b.w. on Aug 3, 2008 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I posted this on Friday before taking off:
The ONE thing that I do what do talk about, and will try and check in on tonite if she gets released, otherwise tomorrow, IS who is bettinng on the WEC event?
So far I just put in a small amount on a 3 fight parlay – Condit, Stann, Hicks. Paying out at just about 3 to 1. When the event was first anounced, I was quick to say that Stann would win for sure. he already beat him in less than a minute. I just watched that fight again today on youtube, its there, just search last names, and its clear that Cantwell is the more diverse stiker, but Stann got a little more power in his hands. Stann is unbeaten and Cantwell’s one loss is to Stann. at -350 it doesn’t see sooo guaranteed anymore since Cantwell looked sharp lately.
Miura going to be a big WW, which will be good for all you people that think he’s too small for the division. he has fought Mayhem Miller at MW in the WEC. At -600 Carlos is great to include in a couple of palays.
david Terrell at -165 looks pretty attractive.
These are from BetUs. What do you guys think???
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I am happy to see more people taking Hicks as well…
by ViolentMike on Aug 3, 2008 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
BW, thanks for the heads up. Cant wait to see Wandy fight. I expected November, so December isnt all that bad. IMO, it has to be Rampage because there is no one else that will be ready to fight by December. Both Machida and THiago cant possibly be ready to fight a tough opponent like Wany on such short notice. It may be Rashad, which I really dont want to see cause suga Shad will lay n pray on him for 15 minutes.
Cant wait to see him fight again, the opponent isnt as important cause any wanderlei fight will do!
by john on Aug 3, 2008 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What about Bonnar fighting Wandy? He should be ready by then for sure and that would be a great fight for sure.
by Buster Bluth on Aug 3, 2008 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It looks like someone more qualified should make these pre-fight predictions.
Iannoti couldnt have been more wrong about the Condit and Stann fights! He said Miura wouldnt make it out of the first round. Well, Miura gave Condit, by far, his toughest fight in the WEC. Iannoti was way off.
Iannoti picked Stann to win via 1st round knock out??? Stann got his ass kicked badly and he was the one that got knocked out.
by Spider Rulz on Aug 4, 2008 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i like all your picks and give kudos to your picking the underdog in hicks over the champ varner(i agree). i think hicks is one of those guys that nobody is talking about, but after tonight alot will be. any way this should be a great night of exciting fights. all these guys are hungry (even condit) and will be looking to be impressive on live t.v. im already pumped for tonight. enjoy!
by b.w. on Aug 3, 2008 1:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
im so excited for this card, the wec events get me wet. no really wec 34 was awesome. just awesome.
by medecineballs on Aug 3, 2008 1:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I’m excited to watch this tonight. I was at Rage in the Cage here in Albuquerque until 1:30AM last night. I actually got to hear commentating more annoying than Goldberg’s. How many people want to see a knock out….then screams. If a guy got on top……how many people want to see ground n pound…then screams. How many people want these guys to stop hugging…you get it. Over and over with this stuff. It’s like he learned four MMA terms and repeated them nonstop. One guy was using a rubbber guard and he said “looks like he’s going for a triangle.” Anyway, made me realize all I take for granted with good promotions.
Diego was there and so was Edwin Dewese. Drew Ficket was stopped by the ref jumping in way too soon. and Alberto crane won.
by Punch You in the Ovaries on Aug 3, 2008 1:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Sounds the same as Cage Rage.
I was watching a cage rage event last night, 26 I think. The commentator was saying he was going for the rubber guard too but was actually trying to get his foot / leg onto his shoulder for a triangle choke.
There probably isn’t 1 fighter in cage rage that knows what a rubber guard is. They probably think it’s a mouthpiece.
Anyway, the most annoying thing about cage rage, is not the commentators, it’s the most annoying, 100 a day cigarette smoking, short drinking anouncer. They need to get him to f_ck.
by Automation on Aug 3, 2008 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was at an event in Little rock last night, was’nt much better. My first time at a local MMA gig. I gained a lot of appreciation for the young guys in the UFC and other pro orgs.
by Jrandolph on Aug 3, 2008 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is a sick card. I cannot wait for Varner and Hicks…
by Jabroni Jones on Aug 3, 2008 1:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
on the main event my picks are
condit 1st rnd sub
stann 1st rnd ko (i expect it will go almost exactly like the first time)
varner with a decision (dont think he’ll handle hicks, if hicks get him in that guillotine hes gonnna gain a few inches of height)
bowles by tko 2nd or 3rd (but i love damacio so im pullin for him)
for the undercard i got
larson
terrel
swanson
moore
(dont know these two cats?)
jorgenson
i passed up a date to watch this show and im no hugh heff so this best be sick!
by medecineballs on Aug 3, 2008 1:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Where is stinky~nuts with all his ludicrous fake bets?
by the_mexicutioner on Aug 3, 2008 1:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
he probaly couldnt afford to pay his cable, or phone bill. lol! he cant get on the net.
by b.w. on Aug 3, 2008 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Close. Im in Stuttgart, AR on business and no VS. Please help.
by Jrandolph on Aug 3, 2008 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great, still no help.
Do you guys have any idea how small Stuttgart, AR is?
by Jrandolph on Aug 3, 2008 2:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I tried responding but is in moderation because of link.
the best site for live events
by Automation on Aug 3, 2008 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think that Hicks will overpower Varner as the fight progresses. The last few fights that I saw him in he was relentlessly aggressive and had a great chin. He appears to be hard to submit and his low center of gravity would be hard for any lightweight to deal with. Varner is very talented, so this has the potential to be a real “barn burner”. Condit is a deceptively well co-ordinated athlete and although I profess not to know much about Miura I think that Condit’s intense focus combined with his all-round skills make him hard to beat for any welterweight. Condit appears to be always thinking and trying to “set something up”. Stann will most likely win his bout by TKO, however I think that Cantwell might take him into the “deeper waters”. “Deeper waters” for Stann probably means 3rd round. Stann isn’t quite the unknown quantity that he was the first time these two met, so I would anticipate that Cantwell will have a more refined gameplan this time out. At any rate, I haven’t watched a WEC card yet that wasn’t exciting. Frank Mir adds to the card with his intelligent and much appreciated insights.
by Muscle Dolphin on Aug 3, 2008 2:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
hell yeah ill take mir over rogan/goldy any day
by medecineballs on Aug 3, 2008 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gonna be a sweet card. I love anything though that isn’t a PPV.
Hicks is gonna whoop Varner!
Rob Dib
http://www.break-your-face.com
by Rob Dib on Aug 3, 2008 4:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Should be a good card. Sucks I cant watch it.
by Joey 1.0 on Aug 3, 2008 4:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
why not? if you cant get VS. then scroll up to find out where you can watch it streaming live on the net.
by b.w. on Aug 3, 2008 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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