‘Rhino’ Fights the Hero in WEC
Undercard fights
Steve
Cantwell (Pictures) vs. Tim McKenzie (Pictures)
Just as the immediate future of the WEC light heavyweight division will be decided on this card, so will the riddle of the division's No. 1 contender. It has come down to either Tim "The Wrecking Machine" McKenzie completing his Homeric odyssey or Steve Cantwell (Pictures) finding redemption at the expense of the WEC's Odysseus.
One of many promising prospects that WEC has cherry picked from another organization, Cantwell (4-1) made his WEC debut less than memorable by running into the fists of Brian Stann (Pictures). With his undefeated record already fallen by the wayside, Cantwell regained his composure in dispatching Justin McElfresh (Pictures) in impressive fashion. That sort of Six Flags-inspired ride is something McKenzie can easily relate to.
A one-time WEC regular, McKenzie (11-4) ended his last WEC run with a TKO win over current champion Doug Marshall (Pictures). Entering the WEC with Omar Little-level street cred is certainly a welcome boon, but too many have forgotten his mediocre 2-2 mark inside the WEC's cage.
Throw in the fact that McKenzie is hardly a natural light heavyweight, and it may be wise to hold off on crowning him the division's conquering hero quite yet. First and foremost is his match with a youngster looking to ruin the Odysseus parallel.
To cast the Homeric story asunder, Cantwell would be best off staying true to form and forcing a fast-paced battle on McKenzie, who typically thrives on dictating the tempo and manner of his fights.
While I can see Cantwell giving McKenzie a good go of it early, it will be difficult to keep that pace against a veteran of McKenzie's caliber who is accustomed to taking on hyperactive youngsters. Eventually the experience and versatility of McKenzie will stifle Cantwell's gung-ho style and lead to an uneventful stoppage late in the second round.
This prediction is pending the approval of Athena, and I might as well consult the Oracle of Delphi while I'm at it.
Undercard
As per usual, plenty of meaty MMA action populates the latest WEC undercard with the return of two high-profile welterweight contenders setting things off in the most proper of fashions.
Both John Alessio (Pictures) and Brock Larson (Pictures) were used as canvases for Carlos Condit (Pictures)'s fistic choreography, and neither came out better for it. A chance to reclaim their contender status will come at the other's expense.
Alessio (22-10) has long been renowned for his superb takedown defense and boxing ability. Larson (22-2) is simply too explosive and powerful for Alessio, though, who will eventually buckle under the unrelenting pressure of MMA's favorite Silverback. Watch for the end to come in brutal fashion, as Larson pounds out a stoppage on the overmatched Alessio. Roy Hobbs does not approve.
Next up is a critical lightweight tilt between up-and-comer Sergio Gomez (Pictures) and MMA's own Lil' Jon analogue, Richard "Cleat" Crunkilton.
Taking out Gomez (7-1) will require nothing less than a full effort from Crunkilton (14-2), who has looked uninspired of late and lacking the burst of explosiveness that once defined his style. Gomez will be all too happy to take advantage of Crunkilton's seeming disinterest, as he blitzes the defacto King of Crunk early and forces a stoppage with surprising ease.
Turning back to the welterweights, undefeated phenom Ryan Stonitsch will put his press clippings on the line against Russian Alex Serdyukov (Pictures) and his terrifying stare. Seriously, do not lock eyes with this dude.
As for the actual matchup, Stonitsch (8-0) has the kind of multifaceted style that Serdyukov (6-4) has typically struggled with. Don't expect much to change here as Stonitsch controls the tempo wherever this fight goes en route to a unanimous decision win.
Should Serdyukov manage to lock eyes with Stonitsch, however, we may see MMA's first full-blown immolation.
For the less pyromania-inclined of you, the lone bantamweight throwdown on this card should do the trick as undefeated ATT prospect Chris Manuel (Pictures) battles Japanese style icon Kenji Osawa (Pictures).
Normally, Shooto imports would be a safe bet stateside, but recent bouts have shown that the American talent pool has closed the gap considerably. Against the relatively one-dimensional Osawa (13-7-1), expect the well-rounded Manuel to continue that trend. He'll pressure Osawa for three rounds straight and take home a unanimous decision.
Don't worry about Osawa. Being the Japanese equivalent of LL Cool J has its perks. You gotta admit, Ladies Love Cool Kenji.
Last up is the prerequisite short-notice special, as Logan Clark (Pictures) takes on late-replacement Scott Harper in a match that could decide what future, if any, these two have in the WEC.
While Clark (7-1) is coming off his first professional loss, Harper is a WEC neophyte who may get the revolving door treatment if he can't handle "The Pink Pounder."
Tragic nicknames aside, Clark is being handed an easy win here. Harper lacks any sort of refined offensive game and enters this bout with the added disadvantage of short notice. A one-sided affair ends late in the first round via armbar by Clark.
Just as the immediate future of the WEC light heavyweight division will be decided on this card, so will the riddle of the division's No. 1 contender. It has come down to either Tim "The Wrecking Machine" McKenzie completing his Homeric odyssey or Steve Cantwell (Pictures) finding redemption at the expense of the WEC's Odysseus.
One of many promising prospects that WEC has cherry picked from another organization, Cantwell (4-1) made his WEC debut less than memorable by running into the fists of Brian Stann (Pictures). With his undefeated record already fallen by the wayside, Cantwell regained his composure in dispatching Justin McElfresh (Pictures) in impressive fashion. That sort of Six Flags-inspired ride is something McKenzie can easily relate to.
A one-time WEC regular, McKenzie (11-4) ended his last WEC run with a TKO win over current champion Doug Marshall (Pictures). Entering the WEC with Omar Little-level street cred is certainly a welcome boon, but too many have forgotten his mediocre 2-2 mark inside the WEC's cage.
Throw in the fact that McKenzie is hardly a natural light heavyweight, and it may be wise to hold off on crowning him the division's conquering hero quite yet. First and foremost is his match with a youngster looking to ruin the Odysseus parallel.
To cast the Homeric story asunder, Cantwell would be best off staying true to form and forcing a fast-paced battle on McKenzie, who typically thrives on dictating the tempo and manner of his fights.
While I can see Cantwell giving McKenzie a good go of it early, it will be difficult to keep that pace against a veteran of McKenzie's caliber who is accustomed to taking on hyperactive youngsters. Eventually the experience and versatility of McKenzie will stifle Cantwell's gung-ho style and lead to an uneventful stoppage late in the second round.
This prediction is pending the approval of Athena, and I might as well consult the Oracle of Delphi while I'm at it.
Undercard
As per usual, plenty of meaty MMA action populates the latest WEC undercard with the return of two high-profile welterweight contenders setting things off in the most proper of fashions.
Both John Alessio (Pictures) and Brock Larson (Pictures) were used as canvases for Carlos Condit (Pictures)'s fistic choreography, and neither came out better for it. A chance to reclaim their contender status will come at the other's expense.
Alessio (22-10) has long been renowned for his superb takedown defense and boxing ability. Larson (22-2) is simply too explosive and powerful for Alessio, though, who will eventually buckle under the unrelenting pressure of MMA's favorite Silverback. Watch for the end to come in brutal fashion, as Larson pounds out a stoppage on the overmatched Alessio. Roy Hobbs does not approve.
Next up is a critical lightweight tilt between up-and-comer Sergio Gomez (Pictures) and MMA's own Lil' Jon analogue, Richard "Cleat" Crunkilton.
Taking out Gomez (7-1) will require nothing less than a full effort from Crunkilton (14-2), who has looked uninspired of late and lacking the burst of explosiveness that once defined his style. Gomez will be all too happy to take advantage of Crunkilton's seeming disinterest, as he blitzes the defacto King of Crunk early and forces a stoppage with surprising ease.
Turning back to the welterweights, undefeated phenom Ryan Stonitsch will put his press clippings on the line against Russian Alex Serdyukov (Pictures) and his terrifying stare. Seriously, do not lock eyes with this dude.
As for the actual matchup, Stonitsch (8-0) has the kind of multifaceted style that Serdyukov (6-4) has typically struggled with. Don't expect much to change here as Stonitsch controls the tempo wherever this fight goes en route to a unanimous decision win.
Should Serdyukov manage to lock eyes with Stonitsch, however, we may see MMA's first full-blown immolation.
For the less pyromania-inclined of you, the lone bantamweight throwdown on this card should do the trick as undefeated ATT prospect Chris Manuel (Pictures) battles Japanese style icon Kenji Osawa (Pictures).
Normally, Shooto imports would be a safe bet stateside, but recent bouts have shown that the American talent pool has closed the gap considerably. Against the relatively one-dimensional Osawa (13-7-1), expect the well-rounded Manuel to continue that trend. He'll pressure Osawa for three rounds straight and take home a unanimous decision.
Don't worry about Osawa. Being the Japanese equivalent of LL Cool J has its perks. You gotta admit, Ladies Love Cool Kenji.
Last up is the prerequisite short-notice special, as Logan Clark (Pictures) takes on late-replacement Scott Harper in a match that could decide what future, if any, these two have in the WEC.
While Clark (7-1) is coming off his first professional loss, Harper is a WEC neophyte who may get the revolving door treatment if he can't handle "The Pink Pounder."
Tragic nicknames aside, Clark is being handed an easy win here. Harper lacks any sort of refined offensive game and enters this bout with the added disadvantage of short notice. A one-sided affair ends late in the first round via armbar by Clark.
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