Torres-Benavidez Locked for March 6 WEC

Miguel Torres will face Joseph Benavidez in a pivotal bantamweight bout at WEC 47 “Bowles vs. Cruz” on March 6 at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, Sherdog.com has confirmed.

MMAJunkie.com was the first to report the news on Thursday.

The bout holds clear-cut contendership ramifications as both fighters hover right outside the championship circle.

Torres lost the 135-pound crown following a brutal first-round knockout at the hands of Brian Bowles at WEC 42 last August. The 28-year-old East Chicago, Ind., native reeled off 17 straight victories prior to that, with only three of those bouts going the distance. The heavy-hitting Torres successfully defended the WEC title three times.

Benavidez’ title hopes were sidelined with his unanimous decision defeat against Dominick Cruz at WEC 42. The bout was the Urijah Faber student’s sole career loss. The 25-year-old former high school state wrestling champion made one appearance for Dream in mid 2008 before he was recruited by the WEC. Benavidez has won three of his four bouts there, including a first-round TKO over jiu-jitsu black belt Rani Yayha at WEC 45 on Dec. 19 in Las Vegas.

WEC 47 also features a bantamweight title matchup between Bowles and Cruz, as well as a featherweight bout between Jens Pulver and Javier Vazquez.

The event will take place next door to the well-attended 2010 Arnold Sports Festival, which will be held March 4-7 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The Arnold’s three-day Expo attracted 170,000 alone last year.