WEC 51.5 Preview
WEC 51.5 Preview
Welcome to another addition of WEC preview. This time we preview the upcoming WEC 51.5 event that takes place on Sept 17th. Schedule for this event is two title fights which include the rematch for the WEC Welterweight tile that ended in a draw at WEC 51 and brings back "Lil Mayhem" to defend his title. Also, two new faces in the Lightweight division battle for a chance to fight newly crowned champion WEC Lightweight champion, "Lil Evil" Wally Darkmon. And on another note, The Black Hand have arrived in the WEC and shake up the WEC rankings. If you think WEC 51.5 is stacked with talent and great match-ups, wait until you see what WEC 52 holds. Now on with the preview.
Main Event:
WEC Middleweight Title Fight:
(c) Matthew "LiL Mayhem" McEndree vs. Tony "Tiggor of Death" Cecchine
Preview - "Lil Mayhem" hasn't seen action inside the WEC since July 19th's WEC 49, where he had a successful title defense against Jhonny "The Great" Whewre. Since that fight, he went on to win the 2008 Makesport Open-Weight GP. He is now back and ready to defend the title, he cherishes so much. The former #1 Middleweight on Makesport, is looking to make the climb back up to #1, and it starts with his opponent Tony "Tiggor of Death" Cecchine. Cecchine, who is the current SFF Middleweight champion, hasn't seen action since he lost to McEndree in the 2nd round of the Makesport OWGP back in May. If it wasn't for a lack of fighting for Tony, he would be ranked near the top of the Middleweight division himself. If Matthew thinks he's going to be facing the same Tony he fought back in May, think again. Tony is back in top shape and is ready to be back on top once again.
Overview - Tony is hoping that this fight remains standing, so he could use his Muay Thai skills to his advantage. Of his 30 victories in his career, 17 have come by way of KO/TKO. Tony has taken the best that McEndree had to give him and Matthew couldn't score a knockout in their first meeting. "Lil Mayhem" on the other hand is a boxer and a kickboxer who in 15 wins, 10 have come by way of KO/TKO. Look for this fight to be an absolute slugfest like it was the first time around.
Prediction - McEndree loves fighting top competition and recently fighting MW legend Zid Randolli will help. McEndree via KO in Round 3.
Co-Main Event:
WEC Welterweight Title Fight:
(c) "The Beast" Damien Natas vs. Mike "Black Hole" Hunt
Preview - We seen these two warriors go all 5 rounds, 25 minutes, in their last battle at WEC 51. After a extremely close fight, the judges would declare it a draw. We couldn't settle for that, so an immediate rematch had to be scheduled. Natas is back to what he's best at, and that's dominating opponents inside the WEC. This 3X WEC Welterweight champion, has a total of 4 title defenses. Hunt signed with the WEC because he, like every other fighter, loves to fight and wants to fight. Hunt, who is the current SFF Welterweight champion, is looking to capture gold in another organization. If you thought the first meeting between these two was intense, wait until you see the 6th round start.
Overview - Although these two know each other very well and there's not much time in between fights, I see both of them not holding anything back and just letting everything go in the first round. Even though Hunt is a wrestler, he's not afraid to stand up and exchange, as we seen in the last fight with Natas. Damien is comfortable whether it be standing or on the mat. This match is dead even once again.
Prediction - I'm going to have to give the very slight advantage to Hunt in this rematch. Hunt via TKO in Round 4.
Rest of Main Card:
#1 Contendership for WEC Lightweight Title:
Grickson "The White Tiger" Racie vs. "El Conquistador" Cesar Montanez
Preview - Racie, a former 5X SFF Lightweight champion and former SFF Openweight Champion, takes on one of the best Lightweights on Makesport right now. Montanez, the current CFC Lightweight champion and former ECF Lightweight champion, is preparing for one of, if not the best, competition he has ever faced in his career. Cesar came to us saying he wanted to fight, so we gave him a fight against a top competitor. Cesar is hoping he gets to face Darkmon again, who was just crowned WEC LW champion after a stunning upset victory over Romana. Cesar has faced the current WEC champion before in Fury, winning by KO. Montanez is riding some self confidence and is ready to step into the cage against a Makesport legend.
Overview - It's been awhile since Racie has faced someone in his own weight class. He's been fighting in SFF in openweight fights as well as the Makesport 08 OWGP. You would have to go back to April to find the last time he's fought a LW. Montanez is, in my eyes, a lot quicker than Racie and that is going to play a major factor in this fight. Yeah, Racie has been fighting bigger guys, but he hasn't found much success in doing so.
Prediction - This fight is going to start by both of them exchanging punches and kicks for most of the 1st round, then it will end up on the ground. Montanez is going to rock Racie with some nice combos and finish him in the 2nd round by ground-n-pound. Montanez via TKO round 2.
Welterweight Fight:
Tyler "Twinkle Toes" Sheridan vs. Ken "Wildman" Metzger
Preview - Former CFC & WEC Welterweight champion, Metzger is looking to climb his way into the title picture inside the WEC once again. His opponent, newly crowned EPIC Welterweight champion, Sheridan, brings a perfect 5-0 record to the fight. Metzger, is looking to play spoiler and end Sheridan's celebration quickly. Tyler is looking to continue his hott streak and engrave his name in the WEC Welterweight title picture with a win over the org's former champ.
Overview - Tyler, who trains with Team Destruction, comes into this fight with lots of confidence. You can bet Stone and Crest are giving Tyler the rundown on Metzger, seeing how they are no strangers to the Xtreme Mayhem product. Ken wants to be the first to defeat this youngster and do it in stunning fashion. Both are great wrestlers but Sheridan's jaw really hasn't been tested in a fight. Could this play a big factor in the fight?
Prediction - Metzger is in for a rude awakening. Tyler is going to test him in every area possible. This is going to be an absolute war. The judges will decide the winner in the end of this Welterweight war. Metzger via a 5th round decision.
Middleweight Fight:
Jhonny ""The Great"" Whewre vs. "The Shadow" Zid Randolli
Preview - After over a year of being away from the game, Randolli came back. In his first fight back, he dominated then #1 MW and WEC MW champion McEndree. He's now in the WEC and ready to make the run toward McEndree and to take the gold. But in his way is Jhonny Whewre. Although Whewre is a huge underdog, starnger things has happened. Training with a great team in the Alliance out of Hawaii, Jhonny knows that a win over the legendary Randolli, will boost him into the MW rankings. You would have to go back to April of 2007 to find the last time Randolli tasted defeat. Zid has faced nothing but top fighters in his career and experience will play a huge role in this fight.
Overview - The very well versed Toledo fighter Randolli, can win standing up exchanging punches or make you tapout on the ground. Training with The Black Hand on a daily basis makes him the top fighter he is today. Jhonny will be able to compete for a little bit with Zid, but don't look for this fight to last too long.
Prediction - Both fighters will feel each other out in the opening minutes of the 1st round before Zid takes the fight to the ground and ends it. Randolli via Submission in Round 2.
Heavyweight Fight:
Julio-Cesar Montanez vs. "The Legionaire" Furrio Salvatarno
Preview - Montanez got a much needed win back at WEC 51, after losing 3 in a row. Defeating HW legend De Filippo will boost anyone's confidence. As soon as Julio learned that The Black Hand joined the WEC, he wanted to fight former KFC HW champion Salvatarno. Furrio, who is recently lost his KFC HW title, is ready to make his WEC debut. He's angry after his loss and wants to take his fustration out on someone. Julio is use to facing top competition and will face one of the best HW's on Makesport in his next fight. This fight has the potential to a main event in some other orgs. Whoever wins this fight, will be considered to fight the winner of Drago vs. McCain in a future WEC event. The WEC is glad to bring you this first match-up between these two top HW's at WEC 51.5.
Overview - Although Montanez has a lot more experience fighting, that won't play a factor in this fight. Both guys are well trained in Muay Thai and have incredible knockout power. But for Montanez, he's a little bit better on the ground, where as for Furrio, is a more stand up guy. This fight will consist of two heavy handed HW's slugging it out for most of every round. If Furrio gets tired, look for Montanez to pounce and take Furrio down where it could end by either ground-n-pound of a submission.
Prediction - I think Montanez is going to spoil the welcoming of Furrio into the WEC. Montanez via Submission in Round 4.