Miguel Torres vs Takeya Mizugaki at WEC 40 with Brian Bowles injured

by James Iannotti on Feb 25, 2009 2:59 PM EST

Miguel Torres

MMAmania.com has learned that WEC bantamweight number one contender Brian Bowles has suffered an undisclosed injury in training and has been scratched from the main event of WEC 40, which is set to go down at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Ill., on Sunday, April 5.

The undefeated Hardcore Gym prospect was set to face Miguel Torres for the WEC 135-pound title in the featured fight on the card. Instead, world-ranked division competitor Takeya Mizugaki has been tapped to fill-in for Bowles on short notice.

Mizugaki (11-2-2) is currently on a five-fight win streak under the Greatest Common Multiple banner, which is a Japanese promotion. He's also a 10-fight veteran of the Shooto promotion, which has also featured other top mixed martial artists such as Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto, Shinya Aoki, Anderson Silva, Tatsuya Kawajiri and others.

Torres -- a Chicago native -- is making his return to mixed martial arts action in his hometown. While it's not necessarily the most envious position to be in -- facing Torres in his homecoming -- it's still a rare shot at a world title for the 25-year-old Japanese standout.

WEC 40 will also feature former featherweight number on contender Jeff Curran against Joseph Benavidez -- training partner of Urijah Faber -- in the co-main event for the right to become the division's number one contender.

Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more on this developing story.

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Comments

Miguel takes on all comers!

War Miguel!!

by DaveyJones on Feb 25, 2009 3:16 PM EST reply actions

never heard of mizugaki. i’ll check youtube immediately. torres is a beast though and i know he’ll take care of business

by Crowls on Feb 25, 2009 4:24 PM EST up reply actions

ok, i’ve seen some of his fights now. He appears to be a solid wrestler with good GNP. He does well with grapplers and avoids subs well. He’s got some power in his hands. Has a very quick one punch KO(straight right). He looks like he prefers to stand and trade but doesn’t look very technical. He throws knees occaisonally in the clinch but i’ve never seen him throw a kick. not even a leg kick. Doesn’t look like he has a great chin but he recovers well. Judging by the facts that he’s A. Japanese and B. not lost a fight since the beginning of ‘07 i’ll say this will be an entertaining fight, however, he leaves openings and Torres has such a diverse attack he should put him away. TKO Torres Rd 2.

by Crowls on Feb 25, 2009 5:09 PM EST up reply actions

Mizu is a very solid prospect especially with his surprising wrestling abilities but he is not ready to face upper level guys. This is sad in that he won’t get a chance to fully develop before taking on solid opposition. Hopefully he puts up a good fight. Solid breakdown crowls. There are very good prospects in shooto and GMC right now that will make the transition to WEC in the near future- keep an eye out for Ogikubo.

by NameNotRequired on Feb 25, 2009 6:07 PM EST up reply actions

Doesnt really matter who lines up across Torres!

“Where they Stand Tall at…Thats where they fall at!”

by john on Feb 25, 2009 6:51 PM EST up reply actions

i was looking forward to bowls and torres, but as long as i get to see torres fight im happy.

by Blazy J on Feb 25, 2009 3:17 PM EST reply actions

Wow, that sucks.

by R-Dizzle on Feb 25, 2009 3:18 PM EST reply actions

yes it does…

by McArthur on Feb 25, 2009 3:37 PM EST up reply actions

Yep. Torres by however he wants.

by LJ on Feb 25, 2009 3:49 PM EST up reply actions

Torres…..that dude is just a different type of animal!

by allamerican on Feb 25, 2009 3:38 PM EST reply actions

Torres Will be p4p best fighter within a year He is great on his feet and on the ground I dont see him loosing for a long time This guy is 35-1 and he avenged his only loss, This guy has 8 tkos 22 submitins and 5 decisins (all unanimus) I my pinin I think he is p4p king, but I think it will take nther year f him winning fr people to realize it

by The Philicutioner on Feb 25, 2009 4:16 PM EST reply actions

I think once Fedor retires or loses you’ll be right. I’d give it to Torres if you only count the past few years but Fedor’s only loss was bs and he avenged it as well. I watched Torres’ loss and he got held down and took some GnP in a clear decision loss. It was 2 weight classes up though so it takes nothing away from what he has done.

by EazyEismydad on Feb 25, 2009 5:48 PM EST up reply actions

jeez philli, i think youre missing some o’s! and n’s!

by brendan on Feb 26, 2009 1:01 AM EST up reply actions

*another year of him winning for people to realize it

by The Philicutioner on Feb 25, 2009 4:17 PM EST reply actions

that sucks for bowles, mustve been pushing himself to the limit for this fight

by Jared on Feb 25, 2009 4:52 PM EST reply actions

Dont matter who it is, Torrez will school whoever!!!!!

by the spyder on Feb 25, 2009 5:10 PM EST reply actions

off topic Aldo from WEC seems to think he’s the best fighter in the world.

World Extreme Cagefighter up and comer Jose Aldo speaks via the WEC website:

WEC: Rank the best fighters in the world at 145 pounds, including yourself.
Aldo: At this point I won’t put myself as number one because I have no title, and I haven’t fought any of the people I put at the top of my list, even though I believe I can beat all of them once I get that opportunity to fight the top guys and hold the title. As for my ranking, I’ll put Mike Thomas Brown at the top, Leonard Garcia at number two, Urijah Faber at three, Wagnney Fabiano at four, and my teammate, King of Pancrase Marlon Sandro, at five.

You have to like a young fighter that’s modest, yet displays the confidence that Aldo does above. However, below is where it all stopped:

WEC: Now let’s alter the question just a little bit. Do you believe you’re one of the best fighters in the world pound-for-pound?
Aldo: I do believe I’m one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. I’m the number one pound-for-pound fighter just above Georges St. Pierre. I consider myself so because the way I see it is that I have the three prerequisites: I’m great standing, with my takedowns, and on the ground, with Jiu-Jitsu.

How can he say he can’t put himself #1 for reasons said above, then turn right around and say he is the #1 fighter above Georges St. Pierre? Contradiction much?

by crazykid on Feb 25, 2009 5:10 PM EST reply actions

He explains he cant RANK himself in the top 5 because he hasn’t fought the best yet. Then he was asked if he’s one of the best fighters in the world. That question does not require previous success, just the skill that would make one able to beat everyone in strong fashion.

Or thats how I think it is

by EazyEismydad on Feb 25, 2009 5:52 PM EST up reply actions

yea was thinking the same thing, the question at the end was just apart of what i copied.

by crazykid on Feb 25, 2009 10:17 PM EST up reply actions

Look at Torres. He doesn’t even look like a human being. He should have no problem with thi guy. But remember the Maeda fight was a late replacement opponent and that was one of the best fights ever. Should be good either way.

by DB on Feb 25, 2009 6:17 PM EST reply actions

For the last time, Miguel Torres is not from Chicago, IL. He is from East Chicago, INDIANA!!!

by Dave on Feb 25, 2009 8:28 PM EST reply actions

Yup.

by OJR on Feb 26, 2009 1:14 PM EST up reply actions

But yeah, Torres will dominate.

by Dave on Feb 25, 2009 8:28 PM EST reply actions

i AGREE WITH U EazyEismydad ITS BETWEN MIGUEL AND fEDOR FOR P4P KING

by The Philicutioner on Feb 25, 2009 8:51 PM EST reply actions

the beaner will loose but if this was a orange picking contest ill put my money on the beaner but since its a fight the wetback will loose.

by yes i did on Feb 26, 2009 2:01 AM EST reply actions

If you are a real man, come to my gym and say that to my face. I never reply to retards like yourself, but this is my one time. Do not hide behind your keyboard, put your money where your mouth is. I openly challenge you to meet me somewhere and we could settle our differences and post it on the web. Im waiting.