WEC Filling In Before Merger
Posted by Matthew Wheeler (Featured Staff Writer)Nov 9
The WEC and UFC merger is a little under two months away, but three exciting fights with WEC stars are set for the TUF 12 Finale fight card on December, 4th. These pre-merger fights will be a sneak preview and a great way to bring attention to the new weight classes and fighters coming to the UFC on January 1st.
Leonard Garcia (14-6 MMA) looks to get back into the win column with his triumphant return to the UFC against Tyler Toner (10-2 MMA). Leonard Garcia is a boxing and Jiu Jitsu based fighter who has been known to scrap and push the pace with heavy hands and will always live up to his reputation for good fights. Toner is an orthodox fighter known also for having explosive striking which will make this fight so good on paper. Neither fighter has been finished by strikes in any round they have fought in. For featherweights they have a combined 9 knockouts of 30 fights so they have a good chance of swinging away once again.
Pablo Garza (9-1 MMA) may just be the first WEC fighter to be cut in the UFC merge as he is coming off a submission loss and facing a 9 time national champion, 4 time world grappler from Brazil Federson Paixão (10-3 MMA). Paixão is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and a Gracie Barra protégé. This will be a very tough fight for Garza for he faces a guy on a nice win streak with all the submissions in the world to back his game up.
Also on the card is a Bantamweight treat with two fighters showcasing their ability to wow the crowds when Will Campuzano (8-2 MMA) meets Nick Pace (5-1 MMA). Campuzano was cut from the WEC after his last loss but quickly returned with a win which gave him another shot. He is a blue belt in Jiu Jitsu and has a shocking 70 inch reach which is incredible for 135lbs. Pace is a well-rounded fighter who is coming off a tough loss to one of the best prospects for the WEC Demetrious Johnson. He has some impressive submissions and Knockouts and is dangerous everywhere the fight goes. This is a very good matchup and might surprisingly make it onto the main card as fight of the night.
The UFC is now using all their resources to stack cards the best they can and the fans should be ecstatic. These fights will be the fighters first shot at glory in the largest MMA production company in the world. These exciting fights along with the crowning of the TUF 12 season winner will all be live on spike or at the Palms Pearl Las Vegas, December 4th.
- Filed under: MMA, UFC, Ultimate Fighter, WEC
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