5 Fights Signed for WEC 50

Surging World Extreme Cagefighting lightweight contenders Shane Roller and Anthony Pettis will collide in a featured matchup at WEC 50 “Cruz vs. Benavidez 2” on Aug. 18 at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. Five fights are now official for the event, which will air live on the Versus network.

A three-time collegiate All-American wrestler at Oklahoma State University, Roller will carry a three-fight winning streak into the match. The 30-year-old Bixby, Okla., native last appeared in April, when he submitted Anthony Njokuani with a first-round rear-naked choke at WEC 48. Roller owns a 5-1 mark inside the WEC, his lone defeat a 2009 technical knockout loss to current lightweight champion Benson Henderson.

Pettis, 23, has not competed since he submitted UFC veteran Alex Karalexis with a second-round triangle choke two months ago. The once-beaten Duke Roufus protégé and tae kwon do black belt has secured 10 of his 11 victories by knockout, technical knockout or submission. Based in Milwaukee, Pettis opened his professional career with eight consecutive victories.

Pieces are also falling into place on the WEC 50 undercard, as 2007 International Fight League lightweight grand prix semifinalist Bart Palaszewski will toe the line against Zachary Micklewright.

Palaszewski owns more wins (34) than any other lightweight on the WEC roster. Born in Warsaw, Poland, the 27-year-old owns notable victories against American Top Team’s Steve Bruno, UFC veteran Ivan Menjivar and former IFL lightweight champion Ryan Schultz. Palaszewski last fought in March, when he submitted Karen Darabedyan with a first-round armbar at WEC 47.

The unbeaten Micklewright made his promotional debut in December, as he outpointed EliteXC veteran Muhsin Corbbrey at WEC 45. The 23-year-old former Glory Fighting Championships lightweight titleholder has trained under Pat Miletich and sports four first-round finishes on his resume.

A bantamweight championship match between titleholder Dominick Cruz and Joseph Benavidez will headline WEC 50, along with an anticipated duel between former featherweight king Urijah Faber and Takeya Mizugaki. The bout will serve as Faber’s debut at 135 pounds.

WEC 50 “Cruz vs. Benavidez 2”
Wednesday, Aug. 18
Palms Casino Resort
Las Vegas

WEC Bantamweight Championship
Dominick Cruz vs. Joseph Benavidez

Urijah Faber vs. Takeya Mizugaki
Anthony Pettis vs. Shane Roller
Bart Palaszewski vs. Zachary Micklewright
Fredson Paixao vs. Bryan Caraway
* Scott Jorgensen vs. Brad Pickett
* Chad Mendes vs. Cub Swanson
* Javier Vazquez vs. Mackens Semerzier
* Dave Jansen vs. Ricardo Lamas

* Not Official