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WEC 44 Preview

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November's MMA blitz continues with WEC 44 on Versus tomorrow night at 9:00pm ET. WEC 44's main event features a featherweight title fight between Mike Thomas Brown and Jose Aldo. 

For whatever reason Zuffa has refrained from a major promotional push for WEC 44. In fact there has been even less promotion for WEC 44 than Zuffa's minimal effort for UFC 105. On top of the lack of promotion WEC 44 will have to compete with a new episode of The Ultimate Fighter season ten during the second half of their broadcast (how does that make any sense?).

Some will justify Zuffa's lack of promotional investment due to the fact that the WEC features smaller and lighter fighters and fight fans aren't as interested in the little guys compared to the heavyweights. WKR finds this argument complete hogwash. Manny Pacquiao has proven that small fighters can sell big fights if given the proper support. Hell, Bill Simmons even elevated Manny Pacquiao's status as a pay-per view draw to the equivalent of a young Mike Tyson.

Mike Brown vs. Jose Aldo is easily capable of being MMA's version of Pacquio vs. Cotto.

SBN coverage of WEC 44: Brown vs. Aldo

Star-divide

Champ Mike Brown (22-4, 4-0 WEC) vs. Jose Aldo (15-1, 5-0 WEC) for WEC featherweight title

WKR is calling it right here, Mike Brown vs. Jose Aldo will be the fight of November.

Last year Mike Brown did the unthinkable by knocking out Urijah Faber to win the featherweight title. After defending the belt against Leonard Garcia, Brown was ready to face off against Faber in a highly anticipated rematch. Brown vs. Faber II was an instant classic. Brown retained the title and now has the privilege of facing off against one of the most explosive fighters in MMA, Jose Aldo.

Need proof that Aldo is a very very dangerous man? Enjoy the video.

 

Manny Gamburyan (9-4, 1-0 WEC) vs. Leonard Garcia (13-4, 3-1 WEC)

Two former UFC fighters battling in the co-main event. No wonder so many people believe the bi-monthly merger rumors.

Manny Gamburyan almost won the fifth season of The Ultimate Fighter but an injury followed with a disappoiningt lightweight run caused Manny to end up in the WEC. Leonard Garcia also had an unfortunate UFC lightweight run, losing to Cole Miller and Roger Huerta. At featherweight the Garcia has found success with his lone WEC loss coming to Mike Brown.

Karen Darabedyan (8-1, 0-0 WEC) vs. Rob McCullough (17-5, 8-3 WEC)

It is nice to see the new WEC matchmaker employing the UFC's tried and true strategy of sending a promising prospect up against a veteran. Some of you might know "Razor" Rob McCullough due to his sex addiction/porn actress ex-girlfriend. Consider this your "Fun Fact."

 

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can’t wait for brown vs aldo. its got fight of the year potential. amazing how its zero promotion by the zuffa. i just now realized its going against a TUF episode. lol. wow. i for one will be watching this and not the garbage that is another TUF episode.

as for the fight, i really don’t have a clue who to pick here. i’m thinking aldo but brown just may be a bit too tough and good for him. aldo might crumble when hes tested hard.

@mikefareri on twitter.

by sonofapsycho on Nov 17, 2009 7:41 PM EST reply actions  

It is going to be AWESOME!!!!

watchkalibrun.com

by Zak Woods on Nov 17, 2009 10:06 PM EST up reply actions  

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