WEC 46 predictions

By Guillaume Coufleau

WEC 46 will feature Jamie Varner vs. Ben Henderson in the main event to unify the WEC Lightweight title at the ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Cal. on Jan.10, 2009. In the co-main event former featherweight champion Urijah Faber  will take on Raphael Assuncao. A win would get him back on tracks for a title shot. Also on the card another former featherweight champion, Mike Brown, will face Anthony Morrison. Brown will try to redeem himself with a win after he lost his belt to Jose Aldo at WEC 44.

WEC 46 will air live for free at 9 p.m on Versus TV.

Main Card

Jamie Varner (16-2-2) vs. Ben Henderson (10-1) — Lightweight Championship Bout

Both fighters have never lost a WEC bout. Varner is on a 5-win streak andHenderson defeated his last nine opponents. Henderson is an explosive wrestler but he is also a purple belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu and he defeated most of his opponents by submission.  Jamie Varner is also a good wrestler and he submitted many fighters but Henderson has shown an incredible flexibility to slip out any submission attempts . In stand up Varner can count on his boxing and his powerful hands to hurt Henderson. Henderson moves faster and his black belt in Taekwondo allows him to land some tricky combos. Henderson is an athletic fighter and that could be a big advantage against Varner. In fact, Varner has not fought in the last 12 months due to injuries during his match against Donald Cerrone at WEC 38 . It’s never easy to come back after a long lay off, especially not for a 5-round title bout.

Predicted winner: Ben Henderson

Urijah Faber (22-3) vs. Raphael Assuncao (14-1)

Assuncao is a powerful fighter holding an impressive record of 14-1. He is currently on a 6-win streak including two wins in WEC. Faber is coming of a loss to Mike Brown but he is a top notch fighter with four times more fights under his belt. Assuncao has a background in Muay Thai to deal with Faber’s kickboxing but  in spite of powerful hands he prefers a finish on the ground with a submission. Faber is a good wrestler and he has never been submitted, actually only the talented Mike Brown defeated him (twice) since his WEC debut. Faber’s speed and unpredictable style should force Assuncao to aim for the take downs and work his submission game. Faber’s wrestling is good though, and the the fight could end with a signature choke by the ‘California Kid’. No doubt Urijah Faber will be on fire since a win here would pave the way for a title shot.

Predicted winner: Urijah Faber

Dave Jansen (11-0) vs. Kamal Shalorus (5-0-1)

Both had successful WEC debuts at WEC 43 WEC 44 respectivley. In spite of his age (37) Shalorus made his MMA debut in 2007. He is coming of a quick first round TKO win over Will Kerr.  Jansen made his WEC debut against Richard Crunkilton and won by decision. Jansen is a good wrestler and the choke seems to be his favorite tool for ending a fight. The impetuous Shalorus could get trapped on the ground and submitted if he is not very careful.

Predicted winner: Dave Jansen

Mike Brown (22-5) vs. Anthony Morrison (12-6)

Mike Brown is back in the cage after a recent loss to Jose Aldo at WEC 44. His opponent Anthony Morrison is making his WEC debut after having shown strong stand up skills with most of his fights ending by (T)KO in the very first round. Brown has good boxing skills but his true strength is wrestling. Considering Morrison mostly lost by way of submission which is Brown’s favorite way to end a fight, Brown’s game plan should be to win on the mat.

Predicted winner: Mike Brown

Mackens Semerzier (6-0) vs. Deividas Taurosevicius (11-3)

Taurosevicius has a strong background in Brazilian jiu jitsu. He made his WEC debut against Javier Vazquez at WEC 43 and won by split decision. The undefeated Semerzier made his debut at the same event but defeated Wagnney Fabiano and earned the Submission of the Night honors. Both fighters are solid grapplers and the fight should go to the canvas quickly .The former IFL fighter Taurosevicius has more experience but Semerzier has stopped five of his last six opponents in the first round. Moreover he submitted the Brazilian jiu jitsu specialist Fabiano in only 2:14 in his last fight.

Predicted winner: Mackens Semerzier