Since Zuffa, bought World Extreme Cagefighting, the WEC has been the little brother to the UFC. The unique chemistry of solid match-making, a television deal with Versus, different weight classes with a regional twist helped make the WEC a great addition to Zuffa. 

The marriage was not one-sided, with Zuffa bringing in a larger audience through their dual marketing (how many times have you seen Torres or Faber at a big UFC fight). The UFC helped build a stable of stars and draws within the WEC. Faber, Torres, Filho and Condit were being discussed by casual fans, interested in seeing the new brand Zuffa had to offer. 

Now, two years since Zuffa purchased the WEC, four divisions have been cut and three have been folded into the UFC. Filho has disappeared into anonymity and Condit now has to slog it out in the meat-grinder that is the UFC welterweight division. Urijah Faber is no longer a champion and the WEC has put on three mediocre shows in a row. Combine that with a management reshuffling that put Sean Shelby in charge while ousting co-founder Scott Adams and it appears that the WEC has lost some of its luster. With Zuffa being more content using the WEC as a counter promotion perhaps things are not rosy in the desert. 

Has a brain-drain occurred? Is the WEC on a path towards figurative bankruptcy? 

Not quite, they still have their two marquee stars, in Faber and Torres, but it has to be troubling to be relegated to a counter promotional vehicle and farm system. Sam Caplan is even questioning whether the WEC has served its purpose and it is now time to fold the entire organization into the UFC.

Personally I disagree with his assesment. The WEC holds a unique place in Zuffa right now. Their deal with Versus, a subsidiary of Comcast, gives Zuffa a legitimate partner. Especially with rumors that Comcast is considering creating a sports network to rival ESPN. Their NHL deal was Comcast putting their toe in the shallow end of the sports pool. 

Besides, if the WEC were to completely fold itself into the UFC it may create an over crowding effect. Two more divisions, at featherweight and bantamweight, would bring the total number of UFC divisions to seven. For casual fans it would make the process of following rising talent, number one contenders, journeymen, gatekeepers and champions that much more difficult. Perhaps they tune out only to be excited by psuedo-controversy generated in pre-fight hype shows. 

The biggest problem facing the WEC is not derived from its divisions, talent or television deal, the largest issue is that it appears management doesn't know what to do with the WEC, hence all the counter promotional events. 

Using the WEC as an occasional counter promotional vehicle is fine, but the promotion needs to find a simple formula and stick with it. The formula would consist of well paced events, young and hungry fighters, lighter weight classes, with high action and intensity. In early 2008 it appeared they had that formula but a series of disappointing events changed that perception. The WEC needs to get back to its roots and put on exciting and competitive fights, that don't turn a two hour event into n hour and a half of comercials like WEC 38.

Bring back Scott Adams as a matchmaker, his removal was not due to poor fights but rather an inability to build up title contenders. Sean Shelby, the current WEC matchmaker, is not a qualified candidate, his best accomplishment in the UFC was the creating of a highlight reel set to 'Teenage Wasteland', a hallmark of live UFC events but by no means a resume builder for matchmaker.  That is why the WEC should return Adams as matchmaker but then bring in someone from the UFC to help with the PR development of contenders. Shelby could fill that role. Also if the WEC increases their internet media presence they could build a stronger fanbase. 

Overall the WEC can still be a succesful vehicle for Zuffa and MMA, but the comitement and energy need to be put behind it.