Video: MMA Live – Kenny Florian and Miguel Torres Break Down the UFC-WEC Merger and Roy Nelson talks Potential Brock Lesnar Bout

(Video courtesy ESPN/MMALive) Kenny Florian and Miguel Torres co-hosted last night’s episode of MMA Live and it was surprising to hear both fighters praise Zuffa for making the decision to merge the WEC and UFC brands.
The reality is that the p…

(Video courtesy ESPN/MMALive)

Kenny Florian and Miguel Torres co-hosted last night’s episode of MMA Live and it was surprising to hear both fighters praise Zuffa for making the decision to merge the WEC and UFC brands.

The reality is that the promotion will likely not hold as many events per year as both organizations did in the past, so for both fighters to say that the move is a positive one is curious to say the least.

It’s understandable that Torres, who revealed during the show that he will face Manuel Banuelos at UFC 126, would be excited about the merger as will likely see more lucrative paydays and will get more mainstream exposure fighting on the bigger stage, but Florian doesn’t stand to gain much from the move. 

Not only will there be fewer slots on each card for him to potentially fight on with 20-plus, he will have to face an influx of tough fighters like Jose Aldo and Torres who will inevitably move up to lightweight in the future.

Also on the segment, Roy Nelson and his magnificent mullet discussed being called out by Brock Lesnar and his feelings on the fight, which he has coveted for some time.

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MMA Booking Alert: Pat Barry, Miguel Torres, Ken Shamrock + More

(Damn, Anthony, if you can’t get psyched around this crowd, we don’t know what to tell you.)
One day, mankind will realize that fighting is a counter-productive act, leading to only misery and division. Until then…
— Returning from his painf…

TapouT crew Court McGee Pat Barry Anthony Johnson Chris Anderson ring girl
(Damn, Anthony, if you can’t get psyched around this crowd, we don’t know what to tell you.)

One day, mankind will realize that fighting is a counter-productive act, leading to only misery and division. Until then…

— Returning from his painful loss to Mirko Cro Cop in June, UFC heavyweight Pat Barry will step back into the Octagon against Joey "The Mexicutioner" Beltran at UFC Fight for the Troops 2. Beltran is also looking to get back to the W column, having dropped a decision to Matt Mitrione at UFC 119.

— Former WEC bantamweight champ Miguel Torres continues his path back to contendership against Antonio Banuelos at UFC 126 in February. Torres recently snapped a two-fight losing skid by choking at Charlie Valencia at WEC 51. Banuelos outpointed Chad George at the same event, and has won four of his last five.

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WEC 51: Miguel Torres Submits Charlie Valencia

Filed under: WEC, NewsMiguel Torres has bounced back.

Torres, the former world bantamweight champion who was on a two-fight losing streak, dominated Charlie Valencia Thursday night, winning by second-round submission at WEC 51.

“My two losses showed …

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Miguel TorresMiguel Torres has bounced back.

Torres, the former world bantamweight champion who was on a two-fight losing streak, dominated Charlie Valencia Thursday night, winning by second-round submission at WEC 51.

“My two losses showed me I needed room to grow,” Torres said, crediting his new coach Firas Zahabi. “I’m only 29. I’ve got a long way to go.”

WEC 51 Live Blog: Miguel Torres vs. Charlie Valencia Updates

Filed under: WECThis is the WEC 51 live blog for Miguel Torres vs. Charlie Valencia, a bantamweight bout on tonight’s Versus card from the 1st Bank Center in Broomfield, Colo.

For this camp, former WEC bantamweight champion Torres began training with…

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This is the WEC 51 live blog for Miguel Torres vs. Charlie Valencia, a bantamweight bout on tonight’s Versus card from the 1st Bank Center in Broomfield, Colo.

For this camp, former WEC bantamweight champion Torres began training with GSP-trainer Firas Zahabi of the Tristar Gym in Canada.

The live blog is below.

Falling Action: Best and Worst of WEC 51

Filed under: WECIt seems like every time the UFC has a mediocre pay-per-view that sets fans to complaining, that’s the WEC’s cue to bring its entertaining brand of little guy fighting back to Versus, if only to show us that you can still get something …

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It seems like every time the UFC has a mediocre pay-per-view that sets fans to complaining, that’s the WEC’s cue to bring its entertaining brand of little guy fighting back to Versus, if only to show us that you can still get something for nothing (as long as you have a decent cable TV package).

It happened again on Thursday night. Fresh off of a disappointing UFC 119 main event, WEC 51 delivered from top to bottom, and did it all without the hefty price tag of a pay-per-view. With the money we all saved, we can now finally afford to buy some UFL merchandise. Do they sell merchandise? It doesn’t matter.

Now that the fights are in the books, let’s look at the biggest winners, losers, and everything in between from WEC 51

WEC 51 Aftermath Quick Hits: Bonuses, Rodeos, Wife-Swapping + More

(On the bright side, that pig was offered an immediate rematch in Arizona. Photo courtesy of CombatLifestyle.com)
Between Jose Aldo’s latest title defense/demolition, the off-the-chain Cerrone vs. Varner rematch, George Roop’s KO of the Year candidat…

Donald Cerrone pig roast WEC MMA funny photos
(On the bright side, that pig was offered an immediate rematch in Arizona. Photo courtesy of CombatLifestyle.com)

Between Jose Aldo’s latest title defense/demolition, the off-the-chain Cerrone vs. Varner rematch, George Roop’s KO of the Year candidate, and the other violent stoppages from Torres and Zhang, last night’s WEC event delivered the goods. (LOL @ any poor bastard who decided to watch Bellator instead!) Here’s some things you might want to know with Aldo vs. Gamburyan in the books…

— $10,000 bonuses were handed out to the following fighters: George Roop (Knockout of the Night) for being the first guy to finish the Korean Zombie, which he did with a perfectly placed LHK; Miguel Torres (Submission of the Night) for beating Charlie Valencia to the mat and finishing him with a RNC; and Donald Cerrone/Jamie Varner for their three-round co-headlining battle that was totally OMFG.

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