Tag: Erik Koch

WEC 52: Erik Koch TKOs Francisco Rivera

Filed under: WECErik Koch used a brutal kick to the head in the first round to knock out the overmatched Francisco Rivera in a devastating stoppage at WEC 52.

Koch’s left shin landed squarely on Rivera’s chin to knock him to the canvas, and Koch pounc…

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Erik Koch used a brutal kick to the head in the first round to knock out the overmatched Francisco Rivera in a devastating stoppage at WEC 52.

Koch’s left shin landed squarely on Rivera’s chin to knock him to the canvas, and Koch pounced and landed a couple of punches on the ground while Rivera did nothing more than cover up before referee Steve Mazagatti stepped in to stop the fight. The entire fight lasted just 96 seconds.

“That was perfect,” Koch said afterward. “Hopefully I get a bonus for this. I thought it was a pretty good knockout.”

Falling Action: Best and Worst of WEC 52

Filed under: WECWhen the WEC disappears from the series of tubes and dishes that comprise cable TV at the end of this year, there’s some stuff I certainly won’t miss. The local news quality graphics, the budget-saver production values, the pint-sized p…

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When the WEC disappears from the series of tubes and dishes that comprise cable TV at the end of this year, there’s some stuff I certainly won’t miss. The local news quality graphics, the budget-saver production values, the pint-sized paychecks – all that can be easily forgotten.

But, as WEC 52 showed on Thursday night, the loss of this guaranteed night of action-packed fights on free TV is something that’s going to leave a void in our lives. Once again the little fighters delivered, bringing us several entertaining scraps for 145 pounds or less. For consistent quality of performances over the years, no organization has delivered like the WEC.

Getting the call to move up to the big show is good for the fighters and their bank accounts, as well as the sport in general, but it’s still bittersweet for those of us who are only now realizing how much we took for granted over the years.

But enough brooding, on to the biggest winners, losers, and everything in between from WEC 52.

WEC 52 Results: Urijah Faber Kicks Off ‘New Era’ at Bantamweight; Benavidez, Koch Also Dominate

(Faber vs. Mizugaki; fight starts at the 6:59 mark, and the nasty finishing sequence begins at 10:49. Props: borntoride5656. Get a look before it’s pulled…)
In the first phase of its two-part farewell tour, the WEC transcended its lame-duck…

(Faber vs. Mizugaki; fight starts at the 6:59 mark, and the nasty finishing sequence begins at 10:49. Props: borntoride5656. Get a look before it’s pulled…)

In the first phase of its two-part farewell tour, the WEC transcended its lame-duck status with yet another thrilling card last night in Las Vegas. Urijah Faber left no doubt in fans’ minds that he’ll be a force at bantamweight, needing less than one round to take out Takeya Mizugaki in the main event. After a few exchanges contested on the feet and in the clinch, Faber snatched a guillotine, then brilliantly transitioned to Mizugaki’s back to secure a rear-naked choke. Mizugaki gamely tried to defend, but eventually passed out rather than tapping; he was asleep for a solid 10 seconds before referee Josh Rosenthal recognized what was up. The victory earned Faber a $10,000 Submission of the Night bonus, which he vowed to split with his teammate Joseph Benavidez. 

Following his dominant showing, it appears likely that Faber will get the next bantamweight title shot against the winner of Dominick Cruz vs. Scott Jorgensen at WEC 53. When asked about that matchup following the event, Faber said “[Scott and I] have a good relationship. He’s a guy I helped get into the sport a little bit. We’ve trained a bunch together. He’s mentally tough. I’d rather fight Dominick, but I’m rooting for Scott [to win that fight].”

As for his new home at 135, Faber was psyched: "When I first started fighting there was no 135-pound weight class. So it’s not like I had the choice. I was just the best guy at 145. So now it’s my time to shine down here. I’m at my most competitive weight. It’s my time. It’s a new era baby!"

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State of the UFC Featherweights

Filed under: UFC, WECNovember is a month without any title fights, which makes it a good time to take a long view of the future title picture in each weight class. Today we look at the featherweight division.

The best fighter making the transition fro…

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November is a month without any title fights, which makes it a good time to take a long view of the future title picture in each weight class. Today we look at the featherweight division.

The best fighter making the transition from World Extreme Cagefighting into the UFC will be Jose Aldo, the featherweight champion who belongs in the debate about the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Getting Aldo bigger in front of a bigger audience will be a big step forward for American MMA.

Erik Koch to Stay on WEC 52 Card, Face Newcomer Francisco Rivera

Filed under: WEC, FanHouse Exclusive, NewsErik Koch may have lost his big WEC 52 fight with Josh Grispi after Grispi was pulled from the bout to face Jose Aldo at UFC 125, but Koch will still get the chance to make a final impression to his new bosses …

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Erik Koch may have lost his big WEC 52 fight with Josh Grispi after Grispi was pulled from the bout to face Jose Aldo at UFC 125, but Koch will still get the chance to make a final impression to his new bosses before entering the UFC.

Koch will still participate in WEC 52, where he’ll face promotional newcomer Francisco Rivera, WEC general manager Reed Harris confirmed to MMA Fighting.