World Extreme Cagefighting 33 Results
by Robert Sargent
The main event of WEC 33 saw "All-American" Brian Stann knock out Doug "The Rhino" Marshall to capture the WEC Light Heavyweight Championship, while Chael Sonnen dominated late-replacement Bryan Baker on the undercard.
With most of the fights ending early in the first round, the fans were treated to an exciting night of action from the WEC.
WEC Light Heavyweight Championship
"All-American" Brian Stann vs Doug "The Rhino" Marshall
Both fighters traded low kicks early on, with Stann landing early punches as well. Marshall began to strike back, though, drilling Stann with a hard left. Stann defended, then countered with a right-left combo that dropped Marshall instantly. The referee moved in to stop the fight, and Stann made it six knockout victories in six bouts.Winner: Brian Stann by KO (Punches) at 1:35 of round one. He improves to 6-0-0 and becomes the new WEC Light Heavyweight Champion.
Chael Sonnen vs Bryan Baker
Originally scheduled to be a title rematch between Sonnen and WEC Middleweight Champion Paulo Filho, Sonnen instead faced late-replacement Bryan Baker after Filho checked into a rehabilitation facility and withdrew from the fight.Sonnen scored a double-leg takedown to begin the fight, working from side-control and landing knees to Baker's ribs. Sonnen transitioned to mount, but Baker gamely defended and worked his way back to his feet, fighting off a modified D'Arce choke along the way. Sonnen then lifted Baker up and suplexed him directly onto his head, but Baker amazingly not only remained conscious but worked for a reverse triangle choke. Sonnen eventually escaped and landed a series of punishing blows from Baker's guard for the remainder of the round.
Sonnen opened up round two with another takedown, pressing Baker up against the cage and landing punches from Baker's guard. After a series of punching combinations from Sonnen, he switched to elbows, which opened up a large gash above Baker's left eye. Continuing the punishment, Sonnen eventually moved to side-control and attempted a brief Kimura before going back to more elbow strikes. An overmatched Baker could do little but try to block the strikes from Sonnen.
Round three was more of the same, with Sonnen scoring another takedown and immediately moving to side-control. As Sonnen blasted away at Baker's head, he also trapped one of Baker's arms beneath his legs. Sonnen landed another vicious elbow strike, then moved to north-south position. Baker, refusing to give up, tried for a kneebar, but wound up giving up his back in the process. Baker regained guard, but Sonnen was relentless in his punishment, first going for an armbar and then unleashing a barrage of elbows and punches. A clear-cut victory for Sonnen.
Winner: Chael Sonnen by Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-25, 30-25) after three rounds. He improves to 20-9-1.
Marcus "The Wrecking Ball" Hicks vs Ed "9mm" Ratcliff
Hicks drilled Ratcliff with a left early on that sent Ratcliff to the canvas. As Ratcliff got back to his feet, Hicks locked in a tight standing guillotine, but Ratcliff somehow managed to escape. He could not escape a second guillotine choke, however, and was forced to tap.Winner: Marcus Hicks by Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 1:42 of round one. He improves to 8-0-0.
Steve "The Robot" Cantwell vs Tim "The Wrecking Machine" McKenzie
McKenzie started off with jabs and low kicks, with Cantwell replying with a kick to the head. McKenzie pulled guard, then landed elbow strikes from the bottom. After both fighters returned to their feet, Cantwell rocked McKenzie with another high kick and a pair of knees. McKenzie fell to the ground and tried to recover, but Cantwell dove in and moved to mount, landing a series of punches. McKenzie rolled to try to escape further punishment, but gave up his back and was quickly submitted.Winner: Steve Cantwell by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 2:13 of round one. He improves to 5-1-0.
Hiromitsu Miura vs Blas Avena
Both fighters came out flying in this fight, throwing a series of punches in the opening two minutes. Miura eventually landed a hard left hook that dropped Avena, but Avena got back to his feet. However, he was quickly met with two brutal rights from Miura, knocking him out cold.Winner: Hiromitsu Miura by KO (Punches) at 2:35 of round one. He improves to 9-4-0.
Brock Larson vs John "The Natural" Alessio
Larson attempted an early takedown and wound up trapped in a guillotine choke from Alessio. Larson picked Alessio up and slammed him down, escaping the choke in the process. Alessio attempted a Kimura, but Larson simply picked him up and slammed him again. Larson moved to mount, but Alessio quickly reversed position and both fighters went to stand up. Alessio got back to his feet before Larson and drilled Larson with a knee to the face. Unfortunately, Larson had not gotten back to his feet, and the knee was an illegal strike. Larson was badly dazed and unable to continue, so Alessio was disqualified.Winner: Brock Larson by Disqualification (Illegal Knee) at 1:50 of round one. He improves to 23-2-0.
Undercard Fights:
Richard "Cleat" Crunkilton defeated Sergio Gomez by Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-27, 29-28) after three rounds. He improves to 16-2-0.Alex Serdyukov defeated Ryan Stonitsch by Submission (Triangle Choke) at 1:35 of round one. He improves to 7-4-0.
Chris Manuel and Kenji Osawa fought to a Split Draw (29-28 Manuel, 29-28 Osawa, 28-28) after three rounds. Manuel is now 6-0-2 and Osawa is 13-7-2.
Logan "The Pink Pounder" Clark defeated Scott Harper by TKO (Strikes) at 4:37 of round one. He improves to 10-1-0.
Yet another exciting event from World Extreme Cagefighting.
