**OFFICIAL WEC: Faber vs Curran Thread**

[dallaskd]

Date: 12/12/2007 6:00 PM ET
Event Type: Versus - Live Event
Location: The Joint - Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Nevada

Featuring three WEC™ title fights and the debut of Jens Pulver at featherweight!

Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Doors open at 3pm PT
First bout 3:30pm
Main Card live on Versus at 6:00pm PT / 9pm ET
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas


Urijah Faber Vs. Jeff Curran

Name: Urijah Faber
Height: 5' 6" (168 cm)
Weight: 145 (66 kg)
Record: 19-1-0
http://mmaplayground.com/i/fighters_L2/430.jpg

Name: Jeff Curran
Height: 5' 6" (168 cm)
Weight: 145 (66 kg)
Record: 31-8-1
http://mmaplayground.com/i/fighters_L2/241.jpg


Cub Swanson Vs. Jens Pulver

Name: Cub Swanson
Height: 5' 7" (170 cm)
Weight: 145 (66 kg)
Record: 11-1-0
http://mmaplayground.com/i/fighters_L2/431.jpg

Name: Jens Pulver
Height: 5' 7" (170 cm)
Weight: 145 (66 kg)
Record: 21-8-1
http://mmaplayground.com/i/fighters_L2/274.jpg


Paulo Filho Vs. Chael Sonnen

Name: Paulo Filho
Height: 5' 8" (173 cm)
Weight: 185 (84 kg)
Record: 15-0-0
http://mmaplayground.com/i/fighters_L2/237.jpg

Name: Chael Sonnen
Height: 6' 1" (185 cm)
Weight: 185 (84 kg)
Record: 21-8-1
http://mmaplayground.com/i/fighters_L2/564.jpg

Doug Marshall Vs. Ariel Gandulla

Name: Doug Marshall
Height: 5' 10" (178 cm)
Weight: 205 (93 kg)
Record: 6-2-0
http://mmaplayground.com/i/fighters_L2/483.jpg

Name: Ariel Gandulla
Height: 5' 11" (180 cm)
Weight: 205 (93 kg)
Record: 4-0-1
http://mmaplayground.com/i/fighters_L2/485.jpg


John Alessio Vs. Todd Moore

Name: John Alessio
Height: 5' 10" (178 cm)
Weight: 170 (77 kg)
Record: 26-11-0
http://mmaplayground.com/i/fighters_L2/342.jpg

Name: Todd Moore
Height: 5' 9" (175 cm)
Weight: 170 (77 kg)
Record: 9-0-0
http://mmaplayground.com/i/nopic.gif


Bryan Baker Vs. Eric Schambari

Name: Bryan Baker
Height: 6' 3" (191 cm)
Weight: 185 (84 kg)
Record: 5-0-0
http://mmaplayground.com/i/fighters_L2/335.jpg

Name: Eric Schambari
Height: 5' 11" (180 cm)
Weight: 185 (84 kg)
Record: 7-0-0
http://mmaplayground.com/i/fighters_L2/243.jpg


Alex Karalexis Vs. Ed Ratcliff

Name: Alex Karalexis
Height: 5' 8" (173 cm)
Weight: 155 (70 kg)
Record: 9-2-0
http://mmaplayground.com/i/fighters_L2/527.jpg

Name: Ed Ratcliff
Height: 5' 10" (178 cm)
Weight: 155 (70 kg)
Record: 5-0-0
http://mmaplayground.com/i/fighters_L2/583.jpg

ALSO:

Charlie Valencia Vs. Dominick Cruz
Brian Bowles Vs. Marcos "Louro" Galvao

[dallaskd]

Im picking lots of upsets...

Urijah Faber Vs. Jeff Curran
Cub Swanson Vs. Jens Pulver
Paulo Filho Vs. Chael Sonnen
Doug Marshall Vs. Ariel Gandulla
John Alessio Vs. Todd Moore
Bryan Baker Vs. Eric Schambari
Alex Karalexis Vs. Ed Ratcliff
Charlie Valencia Vs. Dominick Cruz
Brian Bowles Vs. Marcos "Louro" Galvao

[oligarchy]

I'll just pick the top fights:
Faber
Swanson
Filho

[Evan]

such a good card. This is PPV worthy

[LEONARD]

Sweet card...I enjoyed the preview on WEC last night...

I can't see Filho or Faber losing.

and I think Pulver is going to get smacked...

[dallaskd]

Charlie Valencia Vs. Ian McCall

[IX_Equilibrium]

such a good card. This is PPV worthy


damn straight

[oligarchy]

Sweet card...I enjoyed the preview on WEC last night...

I can't see Filho or Faber losing.

and I think Pulver is going to get smacked...

I agree with everything you said their. I don't see Filho losing anytime soon with the type of competition that the WEC brings.

I still want to see Kid and Faber go at it :depressed don't think it'll happen

I hope Pulver does get smashed by Swanson.

[LEONARD]

Filho training... (notice the scars on Arona's arms...wtf??)
http://fightlinker.com/?p=1164

If you haven't caught the 1 hr preview on WEC, look for it...it replays a couple more times I think...

Curan interview
http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=5240&zoneid=2

Marshall interview
http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=5241&zoneid=13

[Evan]

If you haven't caught the 1 hr preview on WEC, look for it...it replays a couple more times I think...


Quit being a F-ING bum and post us the times!

[LEONARD]

Weigh-in Pics
http://69.46.29.2:8080/absoluteig/gallery.asp?categoryid=2779

Sherdog Preview
http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles.asp?n_id=10327

MMAWeekly Preview
http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=5258&zoneid=2

Faber training pics
http://www.sherdog.com/news/pictures.asp?n_id=10339

Curran training pics
http://www.sherdog.com/news/pictures.asp?n_id=10337

Sonnen interview
http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles.asp?n_id=10333

Filho interview
http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles.asp?n_id=10329

Marshall interview (video)
http://www.sherdog.com/videos/videos.asp?v_id=1353

[oligarchy]

http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/articlefiles/5266-FilhoSonnenWEC31.jpg

I'm not sure what was going on with the ref. In the first round, after the slam it appears that Filho goes limp. You can hear Sonnen yelling "He's out, He's out." The ref doesn't even get in there to look.

In the second round, as you can see in the picture above, Sonnen was caught in the armbar and it was deep. Re-watch the fight if you recorded it. He lets out a yell, but he never "verbally submits."

I guess you could say the ref helped him, but he didn't say he gave up and he had a free hand to tap. I thought it was a poor decision and we'll hopefully get to see the rematch soon. In that rematch, Sonnen should keep it on the feet and just negate Filho's takedown attempts.

This fight also lets me know that the two people cornering Chonnen could (especially Dan) would demolish Filho.


Faber is just impressive. I CAN'T wait until they match up Yamamoto and him

[desflood]

The reffing for the Sonnen/Filho fight was terrible. Who was that guy?

[LEONARD]

Some great fights and weird ones too...

Filho looked like $hit (again)...lethargic...slow. Filho just hasn't looked the same.

Pulver via choke was never a thought that crossed my mind...that was a slick sub though.

Faber does stuff in every fight that I've never seen before...fun guy to watch. Pulver will be interesting.

Charlie Valencia's suplex on McCall was crazy...that was a wild fight.


I'm not sure what was going on with the ref. In the first round, after the slam it appears that Filho goes limp. You can hear Sonnen yelling "He's out, He's out." The ref doesn't even get in there to look.

In the second round, as you can see in the picture above, Sonnen was caught in the armbar and it was deep. Re-watch the fight if you recorded it. He lets out a yell, but he never "verbally submits."

I guess you could say the ref helped him, but he didn't say he gave up and he had a free hand to tap. I thought it was a poor decision and we'll hopefully get to see the rematch soon. In that rematch, Sonnen should keep it on the feet and just negate Filho's takedown attempts.

This fight also lets me know that the two people cornering Chonnen could (especially Dan) would demolish Filho.

Faber is just impressive. I CAN'T wait until they match up Yamamoto and him

I can see why the ref wouldn't have been on top of it when Sonnen was saying Filho was out...it's not like there was a big punch or knee that would've made you think he was dazed or out?? I need to rewatch that part I guess. You'd think Sonnen would've just pounded his ass instead of talking to the ref.

and he should probably be thanking the ref for saving him money and months of rehab...although if there is anybody that I wouldn't mind seeing get wrecked it's him... :lol

[IX_Equilibrium]

It was a controversial ending, but Sonnen was stupid letting himself getting in that position in the 1st place. He was owning Filho in the standup, and should have not taken it to the ground.

[LEONARD]

Paulo Filho vs Chael Sonnen
http://www.dailymotion.com/kreem/video/6296182

Jens Pulver vs Cub Swanson
http://www.dailymotion.com/kreem/video/6296131

Marshall vs Gandulla
http://www.dailymotion.com/kreem/video/x3qyfy_wec-31-doug-marshall-vs-ariel-gandu_extreme

Faber vs Curran
http://www.dailymotion.com/kreem/video/6296793

[oligarchy]

I can see why the ref wouldn't have been on top of it when Sonnen was saying Filho was out...it's not like there was a big punch or knee that would've made you think he was dazed or out?? I need to rewatch that part I guess. You'd think Sonnen would've just pounded his ass instead of talking to the ref.

and he should probably be thanking the ref for saving him money and months of rehab...although if there is anybody that I wouldn't mind seeing get wrecked it's him... :lol

It was a pretty big slam, but the camera angle was weird at the time.

I'd like to see the rematch, regardless.

[LEONARD]

I'm a little surprised at the uproar from this stoppage on various sites. I'm seeing people say that Sonnen was yelling NO, but he didn't until AFTER it was stopped. He just screamed like he did when Babalu heel-hooked him... :lol

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j253/Okkun/mma/chael_screaming2.gif


It was a pretty big slam, but the camera angle was weird at the time.

I'd like to see the rematch, regardless.

I just re-watched it...definitely a punch prior to the takedown that rocked Filho. Chael yelled that he was out several times after he took him down while completely covering Filho's face...the ref was standing over them TRYING to see Filho's head but he couldn't see what was going on without seeing Filho's face. I think Sonnen was trying to pull some $hit he learned from Lindland...douche move IMO. He should've done something instead of laying on him yelling at the ref. Watch it again (DM link above) and see what you think...

[dallaskd]

Filho= looked like total shit but "pulled" it out? i dont know about mr.#2 middleweight. if he fights mayhem miller or a twinkle toes he will get smashed.
Marshall= total prick
Faber= damn he can fight. he still acts like a california fruit cup to me though.
Charlie Valencia= SUUUUUUPLEEEXXXX!

im out.

[oligarchy]

He just screamed like he did when Babalu heel-hooked him... :lol

..and if you remember, he escaped that heel-hook. It's a bad stoppage in my opinion.




I just re-watched it...definitely a punch prior to the takedown that rocked Filho. Chael yelled that he was out several times after he took him down while completely covering Filho's face...the ref was standing over them TRYING to see Filho's head but he couldn't see what was going on without seeing Filho's face. I think Sonnen was trying to pull some $hit he learned from Lindland...douche move IMO. He should've done something instead of laying on him yelling at the ref. Watch it again (DM link above) and see what you think...
I can't rewatch it, but trying to remember the situation was:
The punch put him on queer street and after the slam appeared to go limp.
It was his fault for not just following through with the punches, though.

Bad reffing in my opinion.

[LEONARD]

So would your opinion change if Sonnen yelled TAP?
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3r79j_filho-sonnen-finish_extreme

If the ref let his arm get wrecked, he'd have caught hell for it...no win situation for the ref.

and I'm not saying that yelling in pain = tapping...was just throwing in the Babalu tidbit because I can't stand Sonnen (or his Lindland-like actions)... :lol

[oligarchy]

So would your opinion change if Sonnen yelled TAP?
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3r79j_filho-sonnen-finish_extreme

If the ref let his arm get wrecked, he'd have caught hell for it...no win situation for the ref.

and I'm not saying that yelling in pain = tapping...was just throwing in the Babalu tidbit because I can't stand Sonnen (or his Lindland-like actions)... :lol

Yes, my opinion would change if he yelled TAP, STOP, I QUIT, or something other than a scream/squeal. Honestly, in a submission attempt if you aren't going to tap, it's not the ref's responsibility there. When Hughes could have snapped Royce Gracie's arm, should they have stopped it? Royce was going to let it break. Hughes just wasn't going to break it, but I would have. Sylvia let his arm break against Mir. The fighter knows the consequence if they don't tap, it's not the ref's responsibility here. If the fighter is knocked out or getting pounded, that's the ref's responsibility because they typically don't or can't defend themselves (intelligently). Now, when they intelligently (or rather unintelligently if you see it that way) decide not to tap, that's their own doing. If they get their arm broken, THEY KNOW THAT RISK. It's not like this is some amateur fight and they don't know what happens when a tight armbar is applied.

Also, Filho utilizes the fence to sink in that armbar if you notice to get his legs in the correct position. That's why he was able to sink it in a bit tighter than the first attempt earlier in the fight.

This has nothing to do with which fighter I do or do not like. I actually like Filho, but I thought it was a good fight. I actually don't like Chael and was suprised he got the shot and thought he would lose in similar fashion to the Babalu fight. I guess Filho is a bit overrated.

After all that being said, would Chael have his arm broken? Most likely, but I don't think it was the ref's decision.

[LEONARD]

Yes, my opinion would change if he yelled TAP, STOP, I QUIT, or something other than a scream/squeal.

So did you watch the video I posted above??


Hughes just wasn't going to break it, but I would have.

Actually, I've heard Hughes address this in an interview and he said he tried to break it but couldn't put anymore into it...

[oligarchy]

So did you watch the video I posted above??
It wasn't there. I didn't hear TAP on the full length, was it a doctored clip you posted?



Actually, I've heard Hughes address this in an interview and he said he tried to break it but couldn't put anymore into it...
That's where I got my quote was from an interview where he said he didn't want to break it. He said Royce was such a figure in the sport, he didn't want to do that to him. I believe it was in Grappling magazine.

[LEONARD]

It wasn't there. I didn't hear TAP on the full length, was it a doctored clip you posted?

That's where I got my quote was from an interview where he said he didn't want to break it. He said Royce was such a figure in the sport, he didn't want to do that to him. I believe it was in Grappling magazine.

It wasn't my clip, but it's been posted everywhere...can't find it now. You could hear "TAP" from Sonnen and then it had subtitles for what him and the ref said to each other. Seemed to match their lip movements perfectly...

It was actually on 1310 The Ticket in Dallas where Hughes said he tried to break it but couldn't. It was 5 days after his fight with Royce. Maybe he changed his tune later on to sound more respectful...