miguel torres wecManny Tapia was forced to withdraw this evening from a highly anticipated bout against WEC Bantamweight Champion Miguel Torres (32-1) because of a knee injury sustained while training for their showdown at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, Calif., on June 1.

MMAmania.com has learned that Yoshiro Maeda (23-4-2) has agreed to replace Tapia on short notice and take on Torres at WEC 34: “Faber vs. Pulver” for the 135-pound strap.

Maeda made his WEC debut in Albuquerque, N.M., knocking out Charlie Valencia with a body kick in the first round. The Japanese fighter is a decorated Pancrase and DEEP veteran. In fact, Maeda was the first Pancrase featherweight titleholder.

He had some trouble competing under the Pride FC banner (two of his four losses); however, Maeda has not lost since being submitted by Joe Pearson back in 2006.

It was announced today actually that Maeda would face Damacio Page. That bout appears to have quickly been scratched, however, to ensure a worthy opponent for Torres.

Torres is perhaps the most talented mixed martial arts champion on the planet who somehow remained relatively unknown until just recently. His last time out he overwhelmed Chase Beebe to capture the WEC 135-pound crown back in February.

He has not lost a fight since 2003 and has never been stopped in 33 professional bouts. On the other hand, he finishes more than 70 percent of his opponents.

Tapia-Torres was scheduled to be the co-main event of the evening alongside the showdown between WEC Featherweight Champion, Urijah Faber, and former UFC lightweight champion, Jens Pulver.

Therefore, expect the Torres fight with Maeda to also receive high profile billing … it’s a nice scrap.

WEC 34: “Faber vs. Pulver” is set to air on the Versus network at 9 p.m. ET on June 1.

***

Thanks to MMAmania.com staff writer Chris Cosme who contributed to this report.

April 14th, 2008    

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14 Comments »

Comment by kAiNOA PilAGO
2008-04-14 21:47:22

yoshiro??? never heard of him.

jus cant wait for the pulver & faber fight.

gonna be a good one.

Comment by john
2008-04-15 12:57:39

Nothing special. I just dug through my PRIDE collection and watched his only 2 PRIDE fights (both losses) and he didnt look like anything special. However, he was fighting at 160 lbs, in PRIDE so who knows he may be better suited at this weight. He did get KO by crazy Horse Charles Bennett at Bushido 7 and lost to the “triangluar strangler” at Bushido 13 via guilline.

 
 
Comment by javster
2008-04-14 21:47:55

bantam weight is always up for grabs . lighter punches, not too many KO,s. no matter who the opponent, i see this going at least 2. Torres by armbar

 
Comment by Michaelthebox
2008-04-14 22:52:05

Great replacement, Maeda’s one of the top BW in the world.

Also, whats this about Maeda being on short notice? He’s got 7 weeks. Where does short notice become regular notice?

Comment by SirMixALot
2008-04-14 23:37:20

I guess when its less time than the original opponent had to prepare. Just a guess, of course.

 
 
Comment by UFCPreview.com
2008-04-14 22:58:39

Maeda could be trouble for Torres

I can’t wait to see Torres fight again though, his BJJ was sick…and his length at 135 is Spyder Silva crazy

Comment by Carl
2008-04-14 23:38:53

Right on the money. Trouble, but Torres is real slick and can handle it.

 
 
Comment by Sour Diesel
2008-04-14 23:29:00

Mania Check This Out…

I Seen This On Yahoo.ca Main Page.
Yahoo.ca Has A Section That Allows Members To Post Questions And Get Answers From Fellow Users .

Patrick Cote Has A Question Posted - “What’s your opinion about drug use in sports? Do you think most professional athletes use illegal drugs?”

http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylc=X3oDMTB1ZDcxY2dsBF9TAzIxMTQ3MjEyMDIEc2VjA2ZwBHNsawN0b2RheQ–?qid=20080411103711AAj5C5v

 
Comment by SirMixALot
2008-04-14 23:36:25

Much better fight IMO. Yoshida a big dude with a lot of experience.

 
Comment by NorthStar
2008-04-14 23:54:11

Miguel looked good in his last fight and I cant wait to see him fight anyone else. Too bad damn Canadian broadcasters sucks and this will probably be shown a week after it happens.

 
Comment by EazyEismydad
2008-04-15 01:23:27

Awesome! Better fight.

 
Comment by john
2008-04-15 07:30:44

Whats the deal Mania? No more pics of Torres and his life partner Gray Maynard holding each other ever so gently? lol

Seriously though, Miguel is an animal and its a pleasure to watch him fight. I look forward to seeing more of him in the next year!

 
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