Much like another famous Wild West gunslinger Billy the Kid, Carlos Condit (20-4) is blazing a trail back home to New Mexico. “The Natural Born Killer” headlines the WEC: “Condit vs. Prater” event on Wednesday, February 13, 2008, from the Santa Ana Star Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The WEC live event, which will feature not one, not two but three championship fights, is slated to air on The Versus Network at 9 p.m. ET. It marks the first time since the Zuffa purchase that the WEC will venture outside the confines of Las Vegas, Nevada to host an event.
Jiu-jitsu ace Condit defends his welterweight belt in front of his hometown crowd against the formidable Carlo Prater (21-5-1). The Albuquerque native looks to avenge his first ever pro loss at the hands of Prater. Prater hopes that history repeats itself as his previous victory over Condit was four years ago in Albuquerque.
In what promises to be an exciting lightweight championship match, Muay Thai knock-out artist “Razor” Rob McCullough (15-3) defends his title against submission specialist Jamie “The Worm” Varner (13-2). The two fighters have had a total of only five fights go the distance, so this one is likely to end early, either with Varner taking a nap or McCullough tapping.
Miguel Torres (20-1) comes into his bantamweight championship fight riding an amazing 13-fight win streak with three knockout wins and 10 submission victories. Champion Chase Beebe (13-1) has also been on a roll, winning his last six fights with four submissions and two decisions. Both fighters hail from Chicago, so Windy City supremacy is on the line as well as the WEC bantamweight championship.
The undercard features a hard-hitting fighter climbing his way up the bantamweight ranks, Manny Tapia. “The Manger” puts his undefeated mark on the line against undersized Antonio Banuelos in what could be a quick night of work for Tapia.
Leonard Garcia — who was in a UFC 2007 “Fight of the Year”-type battle with Roger Huerta — makes his WEC debut against K-1 and Shooto veteran, Hiroyuki Takaya, in a battle of entertaining featherweights.
Nineteen-year-old featherweight phenom and WEC newcomer, Josh Grispi, faces a stern test in his bout with the proven Mark “The Machine” Hominick. American Top Team member and brother of Ultimate Fighter Cole Miller, Micah Miller and former WEC featherweight title challenger, Chance Farrar, meet in a bout of once-beatens.
And the always-exciting Charlie Valencia locks horns with experienced Japanese fighter Yoshiro Maeda in bantamweight action.
Here’s the complete line up for WEC: “Condit vs. Prater:”
170lbs: Carlos Condit (20-4) vs. Carlo Pater (21-5-1) vs. for the WEC welterweight title
155lbs: Rob McCullough (14-3) vs. Jamie Varner (10-1) vs. for the lightweight title
135lbs: Chase Beebe (12-1) vs. Miguel Torres (18-1) vs. for the bantamweight title
135lbs: Manny Tapia (9-0-1) vs. Antonio Banuelos (15-4)
145lbs: Hiroyuki Takaya (9-4-1) vs. Leonard Garcia (14-3)
145lbs: Josh Grispi (10-1) vs. Mark Hominick (12-7)
135lbs: Del Hawkins (22-12) vs. Coy Wheeler (6-1)
135lbs: Charlie Valencia (9-3) vs. Yoshiro Maeda (22-4-2)
145lbs: Micah Miller (8-1) vs. Chance Farrar (5-1)
135lbs: Scott Jorgensen (4-1) vs. Jess Moreng (8-1)
This is going to be a fantastic night of fights — don’t miss it!
Note: MMAmania.com reader Stephen Roe contributed to this write up.
22 Comments »
Micah Miller is a talented fighter. I did not know that he was cole millers brother.
I wish that the WEC would move sum of its top guns to the UFC. Condit is ready to compete Now!
i figured they were brothers since they look so much alike so i just assumed that was the case.
looks to be a good night of fights, i can’t wait. the last WEC show didn’t disappoint.
Yeah, Micah’s good, I like his “daddy long-legs” leg lock style. But I really hope hope he’s worked on his strike defense. We all saw how Cub Swanson relentlessly cut right through it last time. The Chase Beebe / Miguel Torres could be one of the best fights of the year. Can’t wait!
Thank god my cable provider added the VS channel last year.
The WEC is beyond a shadow of a doubt the #2 organization in the world.
[quote comment=”302000″]Yeah, Micah’s good, I like his “daddy long-legs” leg lock style. But I really hope hope he’s worked on his strike defense. We all saw how Cub Swanson relentlessly cut right through it last time.
The Chase Beebe / Miguel Torres could be one of the best fights of the year. Can’t wait!
Thank god my cable provider added the VS channel last year.[/quote]
yeah my cable provider has VS in HD now, so that is pretty cool.
Bantam and featherweight divisions are really all I care about when it comes to the WEC. Great card for me!
[quote comment=”302008″]The WEC is beyond a shadow of a doubt the #2 organization in the world.[/quote]
Its a solid organization but I wouldnt say its #2 in the world.
I think all the other USA based mma organizations are pretty equal. I cant say that WEC is better then EliteXC or strikeforce, but I can say that they are better then the WEC either. All 3 organizations have some really good fighters, but then there is a fall off in talent.
Also worldwide there are IMO better organizations then the WEC.
Victory Road is picking up steam and starting to sign some top fighters.
Heroes boasts some of the best lightweight fighters in the world
Cage Rage is a solid event.
M-1 has the potential of becoming a serious player. Think about it in the next year they could potentially have: Fedor, his lil brother, Barnett, Sergei Kharitonov, Tim Sylvia, Arlovski , Tito Ortiz, Ricardo Arona, Randy Couture, Rogerio Nogueira, Monson, Rizzo… all fighting in M-1. Not to mention that M-1 is willing to collaborate with other companies so it doesnt really need as many great fighters as the UFC. For starters they would only need about 8 good solid, big named mma fighters and they can match em up against other companies top 8 fighters. They could implement this strategy over the course of its 1st year in business until it gains enough quality fighters to start having its own events.
Off the top of my head a can name about 50 top notch fighters that arent signed to the UFC. So there are good events and solid match ups outside of Zuffa mma organizations (UFC, Wec).
[quote comment=”302093″]Bantam and featherweight divisions are really all I care about when it comes to the WEC. Great card for me![/quote]
I am starting to feel that way as well. Sure Condit is a great welterweight and Filho is a top ranked fighter although he has been less then impressive since joining the WEC. The main reason I pay attention to the WEC is Bantam and Featherweigt divisions. Faber is an unbelievable fighter and I hope he leaves the WEC and Zuffa. They wont cross promote and it will be a travesty if we dont ever get to see Urijah faber vs. norfumi “Kid” yamamoto!
I am very excited about Leanord Garcia’s debut at 145 lb. Garcia is a scrappy young fighter who put on a gutsy and memorable performance in a loosing effort against Huerta. I expect Garcia to be tough to beat at 145 lbs. I wouldnt mind seeing him and Jens bang it out either.
Does the WEC even have a heavyweight champion?
Razor Rob isnt bad either, but I dont think he would be too successful fighting in the UFC
[quote comment=”302187″][quote comment=”302008″]The WEC is beyond a shadow of a doubt the #2 organization in the world.[/quote]
Its a solid organization but I wouldnt say its #2 in the world.
I think all the other USA based mma organizations are pretty equal. I cant say that WEC is better then EliteXC or strikeforce, but I can say that they are better then the WEC either. All 3 organizations have some really good fighters, but then there is a fall off in talent.
Also worldwide there are IMO better organizations then the WEC.
Victory Road is picking up steam and starting to sign some top fighters.
Heroes boasts some of the best lightweight fighters in the world
Cage Rage is a solid event.
M-1 has the potential of becoming a serious player. Think about it in the next year they could potentially have: Fedor, his lil brother, Barnett, Sergei Kharitonov, Tim Sylvia, Arlovski , Tito Ortiz, Ricardo Arona, Randy Couture, Rogerio Nogueira, Monson, Rizzo… all fighting in M-1. Not to mention that M-1 is willing to collaborate with other companies so it doesnt really need as many great fighters as the UFC. For starters they would only need about 8 good solid, big named mma fighters and they can match em up against other companies top 8 fighters. They could implement this strategy over the course of its 1st year in business until it gains enough quality fighters to start having its own events.
Off the top of my head a can name about 50 top notch fighters that arent signed to the UFC. So there are good events and solid match ups outside of Zuffa mma organizations (UFC, Wec).[/quote]
You make some good points. I respectfully disagree with your anticipation of M-1 becoming an important organization. M-1 is going nowhere. Business wise, I don’t think that any company can make serious cash cross promoting. HDnet Fights has a better chance than M-1 in becoming a major player in a few years..
[quote comment=”302216″][quote comment=”302187″][quote comment=”302008″]The WEC is beyond a shadow of a doubt the #2 organization in the world.[/quote]
Its a solid organization but I wouldnt say its #2 in the world.
I think all the other USA based mma organizations are pretty equal. I cant say that WEC is better then EliteXC or strikeforce, but I can say that they are better then the WEC either. All 3 organizations have some really good fighters, but then there is a fall off in talent.
Also worldwide there are IMO better organizations then the WEC.
Victory Road is picking up steam and starting to sign some top fighters.
Heroes boasts some of the best lightweight fighters in the world
Cage Rage is a solid event.
M-1 has the potential of becoming a serious player. Think about it in the next year they could potentially have: Fedor, his lil brother, Barnett, Sergei Kharitonov, Tim Sylvia, Arlovski , Tito Ortiz, Ricardo Arona, Randy Couture, Rogerio Nogueira, Monson, Rizzo… all fighting in M-1. Not to mention that M-1 is willing to collaborate with other companies so it doesnt really need as many great fighters as the UFC. For starters they would only need about 8 good solid, big named mma fighters and they can match em up against other companies top 8 fighters. They could implement this strategy over the course of its 1st year in business until it gains enough quality fighters to start having its own events.
Off the top of my head a can name about 50 top notch fighters that arent signed to the UFC. So there are good events and solid match ups outside of Zuffa mma organizations (UFC, Wec).[/quote]
You make some good points. I respectfully disagree with your anticipation of M-1 becoming an important organization. M-1 is going nowhere. Business wise, I don’t think that any company can make serious cash cross promoting. HDnet Fights has a better chance than M-1 in becoming a major player in a few years..[/quote]
M-1 may not be succesful in the USA, but I am sure it will be a huge draw in other parts of the world like Japan. Thats why its called M-1 Global. So even if it doesnt become Big in America, it can still succeed and become a prominant mma organization. Those names I mentioned above would be Huge draws in japan and in my oppinion there is more money in Japan then in th USA at this point in time when talking about MMA.
In addition t Japan, M-1 can easily make lots of money in Russia. with Fedor and his brother signed along with the other members of the red devil fight team, M-1 will be a big Draw in Russia. Fedor also has many fans in Korea and China which are both emerging mma markets. The UFC might keep its chokehold on the mma market in America, but world wide, the UFC is not that big and I completely expect M-1 out perform the UFC in most other parts of the world.
[quote comment=”302187″]
M-1 has the potential of becoming a serious player. Think about it in the next year they could potentially have: Fedor, his lil brother, Barnett, Sergei Kharitonov, Tim Sylvia, Arlovski , Tito Ortiz, Ricardo Arona, Randy Couture, Rogerio Nogueira, Monson, Rizzo… all fighting in M-1. Not to mention that M-1 is willing to collaborate with other companies so it doesnt really need as many great fighters as the UFC. For starters they would only need about 8 good solid, big named mma fighters and they can match em up against other companies top 8 fighters. They could implement this strategy over the course of its 1st year in business until it gains enough quality fighters to start having its own events.[/quote]
barnett didn’t sign with m1, he signed with some other brand new promotion. they announced it on InsideMMA last night.
[quote comment=”302384″][quote comment=”302216″][quote comment=”302187″][quote comment=”302008″]The WEC is beyond a shadow of a doubt the #2 organization in the world.[/quote]
Its a solid organization but I wouldnt say its #2 in the world.
I think all the other USA based mma organizations are pretty equal. I cant say that WEC is better then EliteXC or strikeforce, but I can say that they are better then the WEC either. All 3 organizations have some really good fighters, but then there is a fall off in talent.
Also worldwide there are IMO better organizations then the WEC.
Victory Road is picking up steam and starting to sign some top fighters.
Heroes boasts some of the best lightweight fighters in the world
Cage Rage is a solid event.
M-1 has the potential of becoming a serious player. Think about it in the next year they could potentially have: Fedor, his lil brother, Barnett, Sergei Kharitonov, Tim Sylvia, Arlovski , Tito Ortiz, Ricardo Arona, Randy Couture, Rogerio Nogueira, Monson, Rizzo… all fighting in M-1. Not to mention that M-1 is willing to collaborate with other companies so it doesnt really need as many great fighters as the UFC. For starters they would only need about 8 good solid, big named mma fighters and they can match em up against other companies top 8 fighters. They could implement this strategy over the course of its 1st year in business until it gains enough quality fighters to start having its own events.
Off the top of my head a can name about 50 top notch fighters that arent signed to the UFC. So there are good events and solid match ups outside of Zuffa mma organizations (UFC, Wec).[/quote]
You make some good points. I respectfully disagree with your anticipation of M-1 becoming an important organization. M-1 is going nowhere. Business wise, I don’t think that any company can make serious cash cross promoting. HDnet Fights has a better chance than M-1 in becoming a major player in a few years..[/quote]
M-1 may not be succesful in the USA, but I am sure it will be a huge draw in other parts of the world like Japan. Thats why its called M-1 Global. So even if it doesnt become Big in America, it can still succeed and become a prominant mma organization. Those names I mentioned above would be Huge draws in japan and in my oppinion there is more money in Japan then in th USA at this point in time when talking about MMA.
In addition t Japan, M-1 can easily make lots of money in Russia. with Fedor and his brother signed along with the other members of the red devil fight team, M-1 will be a big Draw in Russia. Fedor also has many fans in Korea and China which are both emerging mma markets. The UFC might keep its chokehold on the mma market in America, but world wide, the UFC is not that big and I completely expect M-1 out perform the UFC in most other parts of the world.[/quote]
I must admit you have put forth a pretty good argument.
So basically what you are saying is that M-1 has the potential to someday replace Pride. M-1 would be competing with K-1 and Heroes. One “wild card” with respect to M-1 is Fedor’s manager. Already, some of the M-1 investors are at odds with him. How long will the investors put up with Fedor’s manager (who by the way has a contoversial track record)? Competition is not a bad thing. However, I personally do not think that any organization will come close to rivalling the UFC in North America (including Mexico where the UFC is now ready to enter) in the forseeable future.
M-1 will lose alote of money. They have no television deal, They gotta pay Fedor’s huge contract, Rumors about other fighter’s contracts $ - Eddie Alvarez, Alexander Emelianko and Gegard Mousassi all expect to get paid in the end. I will be suprised if they have 3 shows max! Maybe M1 Global having fights in Europe, and Asia are the way to go. But not Japan they would have to compete with K-1 and World Victory Road.
I see World Victory Road as a company I would think survives over M-1 at this point.
Guys, if ppl want to pay fighters more than the UFC does, so what? The fighters’ just need to know and understand that the only place that they can honestly say they fought the best is the Ufc. If they want to let somebody pay them more for fighting easier opponets…why not?
[quote comment=”302193″]Does the WEC even have a heavyweight champion?
Razor Rob isnt bad either, but I dont think he would be too successful fighting in the UFC[/quote]
He’d do okay. Not great. But you never know. Most fighters aren’t born “great” I guess. Only Randy and Fedor were born with ‘GREATNESS’!!!
[quote comment=”302193″]Does the WEC even have a heavyweight champion?
Razor Rob isnt bad either, but I dont think he would be too successful fighting in the UFC[/quote]
WEC doesn’t have a HW division. They go from bantamweight up to LHW. Even at that division Brian Stann is their only marketable fighter, and that includes current champ Doug Rhino Marshall. Unfortunately Stann was not on their Dec. card, nor is he on the Feb. card, which leads me to believe he is back on active duty with the Marines. I don’t know for sure, but WEC loves to show him off at every opportunity.
meh stann is just an overhyped idiot jarhead. we’ll see what he can do when he faces some real competition.
Stann is fighting Marshall in late March or April.
[quote comment=”301911″]Micah Miller is a talented fighter. I did not know that he was cole millers brother.
I wish that the WEC would move sum of its top guns to the UFC. Condit is ready to compete Now![/quote]
CHANCE FARRAR IS GONNA WOOP SOME BUT
This is a great card from top to bottom. I can’t wait for the WEC to have enough talent to hold cards monthly. I wish that they had put Leonard Garcia in there with a more recognizable name, such as Micah Miller or Mark Hominick.