Cruz-Jorgensen, Henderson-Pettis Signed for WEC 53
Mike Whitman Sep 27, 2010
Dominick Cruz file photo: Dave Mandel | Sherdog.com
World Extreme Cagefighting bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz will defend his title against Scott “Young Guns” Jorgensen at WEC 53 “Henderson vs. Pettis” on Dec. 12 at the Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Ariz. The promotion on Monday announced the matchup.
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Jorgensen enters on the strength of five straight wins. The former three-time Pac-10 wrestling champion holds victories over Takeya Mizugaki and Antonio Banuelos; he defeated Brad Pickett at WEC 50. The Boise, Idaho, product is 7-2 since joining the WEC. Fighting out of the Twisted Genetiks camp, Jorgensen’s only defeats in the organization have come at the hands of Banuelos, whom he bested in their rematch, and Damacio Page.
The bantamweight title is not the only strap on the line at WEC 53, however. The matchup between WEC lightweight champion Benson Henderson and Anthony Pettis has also been made official.
Henderson is undefeated in the WEC. “Smooth” has won 10 straight fights, including victories over Shane Roller, Donald Cerrone (twice) and former WEC lightweight champion Jamie Varner. Fighting out of Glendale, Ariz., for the MMA Lab, Henderson will have the home-field advantage come fight night.
Pettis is 4-1 since reaching the WEC, his only loss coming via split decision to the durable Bart Palaszewski at WEC 45 in 2009. Like Henderson, Pettis has defeated Roller, plus Alex Karalexis, Mike Campbell and Danny Castillo during his time with the organization. Coached by kickboxing legend Duke Roufus, Pettis represents the Roufusport team, training alongside UFC competitors Patrick Barry and Alan Belcher in Milwaukee. Pettis will enter the cage having finished three consecutive opponents.
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