Only a day after the impressive Affliction ‘Day of Reckoning’ event, the fans were treated to another MMA show: WEC 38, broadcast live from San Diego, featured the WEC lightweight champion Jamie Varner defending his title against Donald Cerrone in the main event. The other big matchup on the card was the rematch between the former featherweight champion Urijah Faber and the UFC veteran and former champion Jens Pulver.
Jose Aldo vs. Rolando Perez (145 lbs)
In the first televised bout, both featherweights came out swinging from the opening bell. Aldo quickly took control of the bout with crisp punches and body kicks. Perez fired back with combinations of his own but was outgunned by Aldo. As Perez stepped forward, Aldo fired a knee up the middle that knocked Perez on his back. Aldo jumped on top of Perez for a quick TKO finish.
Fight Grade: 4/5
Mike Campbell vs. Danillo Villefort (170 lbs)
This matchup was a mad scramble, starting out with an even striking exchange then going to the ground where Villefort attempted a chain of submissions, while Campbell used his athleticism and a strength advantage to stay out of danger. After getting back to the feet, Campbell rocked Villefort with a combination; Danillo pulled guard and swept Campbell, quickly taking mount and pounding away. Campbell rolled over and covered his head; the refferee implored Campbell to do something to improve his position. Campbell remained immobile and the fight was stopped.
Fight Grade: 4/5
Scott Jorgensen vs. Frank Gomez (135 lbs)
In a very quick bout, Jorgensen wasted no time securing a modified guillotine choke on Gomez and forcing a tapout.
Fight Grade: 3/5
Urijah Faber vs. Jens Pulver (145 lbs)
The first time these two met, Faber was the WEC featherweight champion and it was a title fight that went the full five rounds. This time around, it was a three rounder that lasted only over a minute as Faber badly hurt Pulver with a body punch. All the fight was knocked out of Pulver and Urijah was able to finish it with a guillotine. A rather pointless rematch, and Faber will now most likely face the winner of the upcoming title bout between the champion Mike Thomas Brown and Leonard Garcia.
Fight Grade: 3/5
Champion Jamie Varner vs. Donald Cerrone (155 lbs title bout)
Round 1: The champion Varner controlled the first round, hurting Cerrone with a combination and forcing him to pull guard. Cerrone attempted submissions but was met by heavy punches from the top. A large hematoma appeared on Cerrone’s head by the time he escaped back to his feet near the end of the round. Round 10-9 Varner
Round 2: A much closer round, as Cerrone held his own in striking exchanges and avoided damage on the ground. Cerrone stole the round with a triangle choke locked in as the time expired. Round 10-9 Cerrone
Round 3: Varner was once again winning the standup, opening cuts under both of Cerrone’s eyes. Varner’s best round so far, Cerrone’s face was bloody and swollen by the end of the third. Round 10-9 Varner
Round 4: The pace started to slow down a bit at this point. Cerrone started out having some luck with body kicks, but was taken down by Varner time and again. Varner edged out a very close round. Round 10-9 Varner
Round 5: Varner was looking winded in the beginning of the round. Cerrone defended Varner’s takedown and landed a takedown of his own; as Varner scrambled up Cerrone threw a knee that glanced off Varner’s eye socket. The action was halted, and Varner was deemed unable to continue as he claimed to not be able to see. The knee was ruled an accidental foul, and according to the rules of the California State Athletic Commission, the fight went to the scorecards with all five rounds being scored. Round 10-9 Cerrone
I saw this fight as 48-47 Varner. Two of the judges called it 49-46 Varner with the third scoring it 48-47 Cerrone for a controversial split decision that calls for a rematch sooner rather than later.
Fight Grade: 5 4/5 1 point deduction for the screwy ending
A solid event, but did not quite measure up to the high bar set by the ‘Day of Reckoning’.