It was the night of the upsets at”WEC 47: Bowles vs. Cruz” inside the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. If you have DirecTV or didn’t have access to the Versus Network, here are the results for the night’s scraps.
Once again, we used our Twitter to bring you the blow-by-blow calls of Saturday night’s highly-anticipated WEC event.
Dominick Cruz upset bantamweight champion Brian Bowles in his first title defense as the American Top Team trained fighter couldn’t continue after the 2ndRound due to a broken right hand.
Speaking of underdogs, Joseph Benevidez was the night’s biggest ‘dog to come in at +270 with his dominating win over former 135-pound king Miguel Torres.
Here’s a quick rundown of tonight’s card:
Preliminary Bouts:
Ricardo Lamas Defeated Bendy Casimir via KO (Knee) at 3:43 in the 1stRound
Fredson Paixao Defeated Courtney Buck via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 2:39 in the 1stRound
Leonard Garcia and George Roop fight to a Split Draw (29-27, 29-27, 28-28)
Anthony Pettis Defeated Danny Castillo via KO (Head Kick) at 2:17 in the 1stRound
Chad Mendes Defeated Erik Koch via Unanimous Decision (30-27 All Three Judges)
Scott Jorgensen Defeated Chad George via Submission (Standing Guillotine Choke) at :31 in the 1stRoundMain Bouts:
Bart Palaszewski Defeated Karen Darabedyan via Submission (Armbar) at 4:40 in the 1stRound
L.C. Davis Defeated. Deividas Taurosevicius Majority Decision (29-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Javier Vazquez Defeated Jens Pulver via Submission (Armbar) at 3:41 in the 1stRound
Joseph Benavidez Defeated Miguel Torres via Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 2:57 in the 2ndRound
Dominick Cruz Defeated Brian Bowles via TKO (Doctor Stoppage – Broken Right Hand) in the 2ndRound (Cruz becomes new WEC Bantamweight Champion)
Play-by-Play coverage of the main bouts from our Twitter feed:
Bart Palaszewski Defeated Karen Darabedyan via Submission (Armbar) at 4:40 in the 1stRound
1stRound:
Darabedyan dominates Palaszewski for 95% of the 1stRound with G’nP but got caught in an armbar by Palaszewski
Bart Palaszewski Defeated Karen Darabedyan via Submission (Armbar) at 4:40 in the 1stRound
L.C. Davis Defeated Deividas Taurosevicius Majority Decision (29-29, 29-28, 29-28)
1stRound:
Close 1stRound between Davis & Taurosevicius, a lot of clinching against the cage. Davis 10-9 because he controlled the action
2ndRound:
Davis survives 2 unseen low blows, Taurosevicius gets a takedown and controlled the 2ndRound. 10-9 Taurosevicius
3rdRound:
More clinching, Davis gets a takedown. Another close round, 10-9 Davis.
Javier Vazquez Defeated Jens Pulver via Submission (Armbar) at 3:41 in the 1stRound
Vazquez looks good on the ground as he crucifixed Pulver put a Hasim Rahman sized welt on his forehead and gets an armbar submission
Joseph Benavidez Defeated Miguel Torres via Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 2:57 in the 2ndRound
Size and reach advantage for Torres is evident from the start, both start patient
Benevidez lands a straight left while avoiding Torres’ counter strike. Benevidez barely misses a big overhand right
Nice fast exchange by both fighters, each lands a good shot. Benevidez looks comfortable with the distance. Torres gets tripped
Benevidez clinches Torres and takes him down up against the cage and passes into half guard. Torres is heeling Benevidez’ leg
Benevidez takes the 1stRound 10-9 with his takedown and control. Didn’t do too much damage though
2ndRound:
Benevidez continues to be the aggressor, Torres looks quick but can’t land yet. Good body kick by Benevidez
Torres lands a straight jab but gets taken down once again. Benevidez opens up a cut on Torres’ face with an elbow, nasty cut.
Benevidez sinks in a guillotine choke and gets Torres to tapout, great fight by Benevidez, this guy is L-E-G-I-T
Dominick Cruz Defeated Brian Bowles via TKO (Doctor’s stoppage – broken hand)at 5:00 in the 2ndRound
1stRound
Cruz starts with a leg kick, Bowles looks very calm. Cruz is doing a good job of avoiding shots and lands a right of his own
Both fighters are going after it, Cruz almost gets caught. Each lands a big right hook, Cruz lands another and Bowles backs up
Bowles can’t make Cruz pay for leg kicks. Cruz lands another right hook but Bowles seems OK. Cruz takes Bowles down
Cruz lands a leg kick and right hook combo but eats a right from Bowles. Cruz takes the 1stRound 10-9
2ndRound:
Looks like Bowles has a bloody nose, Cruz is using his reach well but Bowles looks really dangerous
Finally Bowles lands a straight right, Cruz lands another right hook while backing away. The champ eats a big combo
Cruz lands a nice leg kick, Bowles looks a little confused. Bowles tries for a takedown, eats a low blow takes a short break
Bowles lands a left hook Cruz counters, Cruz’ footwork looks like a boxer. Cruz gets a double leg takedown to end the round. 10-9 Cruz
After the 2ndRound, the doctor came in and said it’s not safe for Bowles to continue. Cruz is the new champ