Ringside Report

Dominick Cruz became the new WEC bantamweight champion by defeating Brain Bowles via TKO due to injury tonight at WEC 47 in Columbus, Ohio. Dominick Cruz picked Bowles apart with excellent technical striking in the first two rounds of the fight which was all he needed for the victory. Bowles was unable to answer the bell to begin the third round after suffering a broken hand in the fight.

Joseph Benavidez opened up Miguel Torres with a big elbow and locked in a tight guillotine choke to beat the former bantamweight champion in the second round. Benavidez and Torres fought an evenly matched first round but it was Benavidez dominating in the second to take the fight. The loss is Torres’ second in a row but only third professional defeat in 40 bouts while Benavidez improves to 12-1 and could be next in line for a title shot.

Jens Pulver lost his fifth straight fight, losing to Javier Vazquez via first round submission. Vazquez utilized some great Jiu-Jitsu skill to keep Pulver on the ground and lock in an arm-bar to beat the former UFC lightweight champion. Pulver delivered a heartfelt speech after the fight, thanking his family, fans and friends. Pulver did not confirm a retirement but did say that he loved his fans too much to “put them through this again.”

L.C. Davis defeated Deividas Taurosevicius via majority decision (29-29, 29-28, 29-28) after 15 minutes that was mostly spent in a clinch against the cage. Davis was hurt in the second round by two knees to the groin that were not called or not seen by the referee.

Bart Palaszewski took a beating from Karen Darabedyan but was able to lock in a miraculous arm-bar with just 20 seconds remaining in the first round to score the upset victory. Darabedyan landed a nice punching combination and took Palaszewski down to the mat and landed several hard punches and elbows from inside the guard. Palaszewski was able to hold on and secure the submission to improve his pro record to 34-14 and hand Darabedyan only his second loss in eleven professional bouts.

Main Card Results

Dominick Cruz def. Brian Bowles via TKO (injury-broken hand) after 5:00 in Round 2

Joseph Benavidez def. Miguel Torres via submission (guillotine choke) after 2:57 in Round 2

Javier Vazquez def. Jens Pulver via submission (arm-bar) after 3:41 in Round 1

Bart Palaszewski def. Karen Darabedyan via submission (arm-bar) after 4:40 in Round 1

L.C. Davis def. Deividas Taurosevicius via majority decision (29-29, 29-28, 29-28)

Preliminary Results

Ricardo Lamas def. Bendy Casimir via KO (knee) in Round 1

Fredson Paixao def. Courtney Buck via submission (rear-naked choke) in Round 1

Leonard Garcia def. George Roop via unanimous decision (29-27, 27-29, 28-28)

Anthony Pettis def. Danny Castillo via KO (head kick) in Round 1

Chad Mendes def. Eric Koch via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Scott Jorgensen def. Chad George via submission (guillotine choke) in Round 1

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