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.

Urijah Faber Thrilled at Chance to Fight in UFC, Nostalgic at WEC’s Ending

Filed under: UFC, WEC, NewsSeven years ago when Urijah Faber was just beginning his professional MMA career, he wrote out a set of goals. One of his chief objectives was to become a champion in the UFC or PRIDE. The latter organization never had a cham…

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Seven years ago when Urijah Faber was just beginning his professional MMA career, he wrote out a set of goals. One of his chief objectives was to become a champion in the UFC or PRIDE. The latter organization never had a championship in his favored division when he fought as a featherweight, and he ran into the same problem when it came to the UFC.

Faber, it seemed, was too small to be a major champion. Only he found a way to buck the system, helping to build the WEC’s featherweight belt into a prestigious piece of hardware and the promotion into a player. So while Faber was never quite able to cross off that line on his to-do list, he was going to have to live with “close enough.”

Now though, his dream might become a reality. With the UFC-WEC merger, the “California Kid” is free to chase a a goal he had nearly resigned himself from ever getting: the UFC championship.

WEC Official: November Fights Could Determine Jose Aldo’s Next Challenger

Filed under: UFC, FanHouse Exclusive, NewsIn the last few days, rumors have cropped up suggesting that Canadian Mark Hominick will be the next man to challenge WEC featherweight champion Jose Aldo.

The rumor seemingly began on Brazilian website Tatame…

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In the last few days, rumors have cropped up suggesting that Canadian Mark Hominick will be the next man to challenge WEC featherweight champion Jose Aldo.

The rumor seemingly began on Brazilian website Tatame.com, which suggested the fight would happen in January.

Not so fast, says WEC president Reed Harris, who told MMA Fighting that nothing has yet to be decided for the 145-pound superstar.

Wednesday Morning MMA Link Club

(Where’s a loaded musket when you need one? Props: Fighters Only)
Some selected highlights from our friends around the MMA blogosphere. E-mail [email protected] for details on how your site can join the MMA Link Club…
– Josh Koscheck, George…

Michael Bisping redcoat MMA UFC Fighters Only magazine cover
(Where’s a loaded musket when you need one? Props: Fighters Only)

Some selected highlights from our friends around the MMA blogosphere. E-mail [email protected] for details on how your site can join the MMA Link Club…

– Josh Koscheck, Georges St-Pierre Get UFC 124 Hype Officially Underway at Press Conference in Montreal (MMA Fighting)

– Diaz, Thomson Top 211K Fighter Payroll For Diaz vs. Noons II (Heavy.com/MMA)

– SB Nation Exclusive: UFC 120’s Mike Pyle Reflects on His Career in MMA (Watch Kalib Run)

– Why Dan Hardy vs Carlos Condit Should Be the Headline Fight at UFC 120 (Five Ounces of Pain)

– Joseph Benavidez vs. Wagnney Fabiano Booked for WEC 52 (Versus MMA Beat)

– Nick Diaz: How Do These Guys Expect to Beat Me? [VIDEO](FightMagazine)

– Comeback "Gracie Style": Exclusive interview with Daniel Gracie (LowKick)

– Antonio Silva vs. Valentijn Overeem Official For Strikeforce ‘Henderson vs. Babalu’ (MMA Convert)

– Classic Fight: Royler Gracie vs. Genki Sudo @ K-1 MMA Romanex 2004 (MMA Scraps)

– Marloes Coenen Gets a Hero’s Welcome in Amsterdam (MiddleEasy)

Joseph Benavidez vs. Wagnney Fabiano Booked for WEC 52

Filed under: WEC, NewsJoseph Benavidez’s first match back from an unsuccessful WEC bantamweight title bid in August will be against former IFL champ Wagnney Fabiano at WEC 52 on Nov. 11 in Las Vegas.

The WEC on Monday announced Benadvidez as the new o…

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Joseph Benavidez‘s first match back from an unsuccessful WEC bantamweight title bid in August will be against former IFL champ Wagnney Fabiano at WEC 52 on Nov. 11 in Las Vegas.

The WEC on Monday announced Benadvidez as the new opponent for Fabiano, filling in for the injured Brian Bowles.

“Joseph is a speedy striker with great wrestling and Wagnney is one of the best jiu jitsu practitioners in the world,” WEC general manager Reed Harris stated. “This is a very intriguing matchup.”

WEC 52 Confirmed for The Pearl in Las Vegas; Faber vs. Mizugaki in Main Event

Filed under: WEC, FanHouse Exclusive, NewsUrijah Faber’s planned next march to the top will begin in Las Vegas.

November 11’s WEC 52 card — featuring Faber’s WEC bantamweight debut — will take place at The Pearl at The Palms, WEC general manager Re…

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Urijah Faber’s planned next march to the top will begin in Las Vegas.

November 11’s WEC 52 card — featuring Faber’s WEC bantamweight debut — will take place at The Pearl at The Palms, WEC general manager Reed Harris confirmed to MMA Fighting on Tuesday.