Here are my Quick Picks for WEC 47. I will have full write ups for the two Main Events of the night. Read up and check out the odds for your favorite fighters.
Brian Bowles vs. Dominick Cruz
Bowles, who earned the Bantamweight Title with a shocking knockout upset of Miguel Torres, makes his first defense against tough competitor Dominick Cruz, whose only career loss is to former Featherweight champ Urijah Faber. Cruz has decent striking and good wrestling, while Bowles has a dangerous submission game and has developed dangerous boxing with knockout power. As good as Cruz is, Bowles is too dangerous both standing and on the ground. Expect the two to trade shots early, before Bowles drops Cruz with a hard shot, takes his back, and locks on a rear naked choke for the win.
- Brian Bowles via third round rear naked choke.
Miguel Torres vs. Joseph Benavidez
Torres put together a ridiculous run of victories, securing himself as easily the world’s top Bantamweight and a strong pound for pound contender, until he was shocked by upstart Brian Bowles in his last outing. Now he will face another tough test in skilled grappler Joseph Benavidez. Both guys have great ground games, but Torres is on another level both in terms of technique and athleticism, plus he is probably hungry to redeem himself and earn another crack at Bowles. Expect a competitive fight on the ground, but eventually Torres will catch Benavidez in a submission to earn the tapout.
- Miguel Angel Torres via second round submission.
Jens Pulver vs. Javier Vazquez
Pulver is a legend in the Lightweight division, having captured the first UFC Lightweight Title, but his best days are behind him, and the drop to Featherweight that was meant to revive his career failed to do so. Vazquez has yet to win in WEC, but his superior ground game and the predictably of Pulver’s attack should land him his first victory in the big show, most likely by submission or TKO on the ground.
- Javier Vazquez via first round T/KO.
Deividas Taurosevicius vs. LC Davis
Both men are known for their submission ability, and in that regard this fight is a wash. The edge in the standup clearly goes to Davis, but Taurosevicius is the superior wrestler, and should be able to control Davis on the ground fairly easily. His submission prowess means he can avoid any attempts Davis throws at him from the bottom, and he should be able to open up enough from top position to earn the decision nod.
- Deividas Taurosevicius via decision.
Bart Palaszewski vs. Karen Darabedyan
Both men are well rounded, and both do their best work on the feet. Darabedyan’s striking is a little bit crisper and more powerful, though, and his high-level judo makes sure that he can control if, or when, the fight goes to the ground. Expect Palaszewski to hang tough, but to lose the majority of the striking exchanges, fall victim to a few takedowns, and lose a one-sided decision.
- Karen Darabedyan via unanimous decision.
Preliminary Card Picks
Sportsbook.com Odds
- Scott Jorgensen over Chad George via unanimous decision.
- Chad Mendes over Erik Koch via unanimous decision.
- Danny Castillo over Anthony Pettis via second round T/KO.
- Leonard Garcia over George Roop via first round rear naked choke.
- Fredson Paixao over Courtney Buck via second round armbar.
- Ricardo Lamas over Bendy Casimir via unanimous decision.
If you want to add a little excitement to your fight night, you can bet on this fight at Sportsbook.com Odds. Or Betus.com Odds if you want to play some parlay bets. Check out my review of Sportsbook here…
