WEC 52 Preview & Predictions: Urijah Faber's last hurrah in the WEC

By Mike Johnston

World Extreme Cagefighting’s time is running out and they look to put on another memorable show in their second to last event before the organization is enveloped by the UFC. The organization’s poster boy, Urijah Faber, headlines WEC 52 as he makes his bantamweight debut. Plus, Montreal’s Yves “Tiger” Jabouin takes on Brandon Visher on the undercard. The French-Canadian is coming of a “Fight of the Year” candidate against fellow Canuck Mark Hominick at WEC 49 in Edmonton. Jabouin looks to get back on the winning track. Also, Wagnney Fabiano, who has close connections to Canada, takes on the Joseph Benevidez. Fabiano has lived in Montreal and has spent time in Ontario training at Xtreme Couture Toronto.

WEC 52 airs live in Canada on The Score starting at 9 p.m. EST. Here is a full preview along with predictions for WEC 52:

• Urijah Faber vs. Takeya Mizugaki

In what will be the final WEC fight of Urijah Faber’s career, “The California Kid” will look to go out with a bang in what is also his bantamweight debut. Despite losing three of his last five (twice to Mike Brown and once to Jose Aldo), Faber is one of the sport’s top stars and brings forth a dynamic, unique fighting style. He is exciting to watch and mixes up his striking, wrestling and submissions as well as anyone. If he handled the weight cut properly and doesn’t gas out halfway through the fight, Takeya Mizugaki will be outmatched. The Japanese fighter is also well-rounded and durable, but doesn’t have an advantage anywhere the fight goes. The UFC is likely drooling over the prospect of marketing a Faber vs. Cruz bantamweight title bout for sometime in 2011.

Faber.

• Chad Mendes vs. Javier Vasquez

The winner of this fight puts himself right up there in line for a title shot alongside Mark Hominick. Mendes is undefeated and currently the top prospect in the featherweight division. He has received some flack for not finishing fights, but he certainly has the power and skills to do so. He takes on Vasquez who is one of the most underrated fighters in the WEC, and who has looked dominant lately. In his last fight, Vasquez used his high level grappling to control and eventually finish the talented Mackens Semerzier at WEC 50. That is what he will try to do in this fight as well. Mendes will likely revert back to his wrestling roots if the standup doesn’t go his way, but then he risks playing around in Vasquez’s guard. The betting lines have Mendes as a heavy favourite, but Vasquez’s grappling and control has looked unstoppable lately.

Vasquez.

• Eric Koch vs. Francisco Rivera

Eric Koch is coming off one of the better submission wins of 2010 when he choked Bendy Casimir unconscious with triangle in Edmonton at WEC 49. He gained many Canadian supporters because of that performance. He was scheduled to fight Josh Grispi on this card, but instead will face newcomer Francisco Rivera, an undefeated fighter in over his head. At just 22, Koch will have a bright future in the UFC’s new featherweight division. Look for him to finish this fight in the first round, likely with a submission.

Koch.

• Joseph Benevidez vs. Wagnney Fabiano

Wagnney Fabiano has close connections to Canada. He has lived in Montreal and has spent time in Ontario training at Xtreme Couture Toronto. He takes on the slippery, durable Benevidez who is coming off his second career loss, coincidentally also his second loss to champ Dominick Cruz. Benevidez typically has his best performances when he fights Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts and Fabiano might just be the best BJJ practitioner in division. This fight should come down to whether Fabiano can get on top of Benevidez and hold a dominant position. Benevidez has solid wrestling and can worm his way out of difficult positions, so look for Benevidez to take control on the feet.

Benevidez.

• Damacio Page vs. Demetrious Johnson

Demetrious Johnson is perhaps the quickest, most athletic bantamweight in the WEC, but he is in tough against one bad dude, Damacio Page. With his mean look, tattoos and devastating KO power, Page is a fighter most at 135 want to avoid. However, Johnson takes this fight on short notice and doesn’t appear intimidated. Nicknamed “Mighty Mouse,” Johnson would be better suited to fight at flyweight (125lbs), but is forced to fight bigger guys in the WEC in order to get more exposure. Page is a heavy favourite, but has been out of action for over a year. He will come out like a mad man looking for a knockout, but if he doesn’t catch Johnson early, Demetrious’ pace, coupled with Page’s possible ring rust, could be the difference.

Johnson in an upset.

PRELIMINARY CARD

• Raphael Assuncao vs. L.C. Davis

This is a battle of perennial contenders at 145lbs and a high profile bout despite being on the undercard. Both men are coming off losses at WEC 49 in Edmonton this past June; Assuncao lost a controversial split-decision to Diego Nunes, while Davis was choked unconscious by a Josh Grispi guillotine. Assuncao has some crisp standup and solid BJJ, but that will be countered by Davis’ boxing and wrestling. Davis is a southpaw and that could throw off the Brazilian’s game if he is not prepared for that. Davis needs to use his wrestling, get on top and hope for a decision. If he can’t do that, Assuncao’s multifaceted skills should reign supreme.

Assuncao.

• Anthony Njokuani vs. Edward Faaloloto

In a battle of fun names to say, Anthony Njokuani takes on Edward Faaloloto. With only two professional fights under his belt, Faaloloto shouldn’t be able to hang with Njokuani. Although the Nigerian-American is coming off two straight first round losses, Njokuani should use his reach and striking prowess to come out on top.

Njokuani.

• Zack Micklewright vs. Dustin Poirier

Former UFC champion and MMA pioneer Pat Miletich has said that Zach Micklewright punches harder than any lightweight he has trained. On the other hand, UFC fighter Tim Credeur tells me that Dustin Poirier is looking better than ever and is confident his guy will come out victorious. It’s a tough fight to call. Micklewright had some trouble making weight and that could play a factor the longer the fight goes.

Poirier.

• Clint Godfrey vs. Michael McDonald

Michael McDonald makes his promotional debut and is promising to put on a show. He likes to stand and trade, and seven of his ten career wins have come by (T)KO. Godfrey would be best suited to take this fight to the ground. It wouldn’t be smart to throw leather with the highly touted McDonald.

McDonald.

• Yves Jabouin vs. Brandon Visher

Fisher is another powerful, aggressive featherweight that likes to use his hands to get the better of his opponents. He takes on Montreal native Yves Jabouin, one of the quickest most dynamic strikers in the sport. The French-Canadian is coming off a TKO loss to Mark Hominick at WEC 49 in Edmonton in what is one of the best fights of 2010. Jabouin should be able to use his speed to pick Visher apart, but must avoid the Hawiain’s power.

Jabouin.

• Mackens Semerzier vs. Cub Swanson

WEC veteran Cub Swanson is coming off a frustrating loss to Chad Mendes at WEC 50 and has another tough test in front of him as he faces Mackens Semerzier. Swanson prefers to strike and has had trouble with quality grapplers in the past. Semerzier has lost two in a row and his future UFC career is at stake if he loses a third straight. His standup is good enough to hang with Swanson and his ground game is dangerous; in 2009, he submitted Wagnney Fabiano in what was arguably the biggest upset of the year.

Semerzier.

For more MMA news and notes follow me on Twitter @MikeyJ_MMA.