Author: MMAjunkie.com Staff [mmajunkie-staff]

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Welcome to the discussion thread for tonight’s “WEC 47: Bowles vs. Cruz” event.

Catch round-by-round updates and official results from tonight’s preliminary and main cards in our WEC 47 live results post. And then discuss the action, including the headlining bantamweight championship fight between title-holder Brian Bowles and Dominick Cruz, in this thread.

Tonight’s preliminary card begins at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT), and the
night’s main card, which airs on Versus, kicks off at 10 p.m. ET.

World Extreme Cagefighting hosts a press conference following tonight’s “WEC 47: Bowles vs. Cruz” event, and you can watch the proceedings live right here on MMAjunkie.com.

The traditional post-fight presser, which takes place at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, includes the night’s headliners, main-card winners, WEC officials and other key personnel from tonight’s Versus-televised event.

A live stream of the press conference is available at approximately 12:30 a.m. ET (9:30 p.m. PT).

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Shortly after a swift submission loss to Josh Grispi at WEC 41 this past summer, Jens Pulver was stuck in a four-fight losing skid and hinted at a likely retirement.

One of MMA’s first superstars appeared on his way out, and Pulver was left contemplating what he called “the death of Lil’ Evil.”

It soon proved too much for the 35-year-old to bare, and after working with a doctor to diagnos and treat depression and anxiety issues, Pulver spoke to WEC officials, who then gave him a main-card slot at tonight’s WEC 47 event against fellow vet Javier Vazquez.

Every mixed martial artist reacts differently to his first career loss.

For WEC 47 competitor Anthony Pettis, a highly touted lightweight who meets WEC veteran Danny Castillo on the preliminary card of tonight’s event at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, his December split-decision defeat to Bart Palaszewski served as a wake-up call.

For “Showtime” it was proof that even a strong mind can’t make up for an injured body.

Although overshadowed in North America by tonight’s World Extreme Cagefighting event, the Japanese-based World Victory Road promotion kicks off its 2010 schedule tomorrow with Sengoku Raiden Championships 12.

The event takes place at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan, and all 16 fighters today successfully made weight for the show.

Sengoku middleweight champion Jorge Santiago weighed 182.1 pounds (82.6 kilograms), and challenger and fellow headliner Mamed Khalidov weighed 182.8 pounds (82.9 kg).

ESPN Cleveland’s “Inside the Cage” show is in Columbus and airing a special pre-WEC 47 event today at 11 a.m. ET (8 a.m. PT).

The show’s hosts, longtime friends of MMAjunkie.com, broadcast live from the Renaissance Columbus Downtown Hotel with guests such as former WEC champs Mike Brown and Urijah Faber and UFC veteran Chris Lytle.

If in Cleveland, tune into AM 1540 for the one-hour show. Or listen online at www.espncleveland.com.