World Championship Fighting 8

Mike Campbell rebounded from back-to-back losses that sent him packing from the WEC in the main event of WCF 8 on Saturday, defeating Mike Medrano via first-round TKO to get back in the win column.

• Mike Campbell def. Mike Medrano via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 3:12
• Hitalo Machado def. John Benoit via submission (rear naked choke) — Round 1, 2:04
• Josh LeBerge def. Dan Bonnell TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 1:20
• Josh Key def. Luis Felix via TKO (strikes) — Round 3, 0:51
• Dennis Olsen def. Ryan Schielding via submission (armbar) — Round 1, 1:04
• Joe McGann def. Jason Dublin via unanimous decision
• John Ortolani def. Travis Lerchenvia TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 2:16
• Noah Wiseman def. Eddie Felix via submission (rear naked choke) — Round 1, 3:38
• Saul Almeida def. Kevin Corrigan via unanimous decision
• Aniss Alhajjajy def. Brent Reed via submission (rear naked choke) — Round 2, 3:47
• Lev Kamenetsky def. Joel Ly via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 2:22
• Jim Pitner def. James Boran via unanimous decision

M-1 Challenge 2009 Semifinals
Russian Sports Palace — Rostov, Russia

Team USA East, anchored by IFL veteran Delson Heleno, defeated Team USA West on Saturday in Russia to advance to the finals of M-1 Challenge 2009, where they’ll take on Team Russia Legion, who defeated Team England to secure their spot in the championship.

USA EAST VS. USA WEST

• Ivan Jorge (USA East) def. Steve Magdaleno via unanimous decision.
• Delson Heleno (USA East) def. Fabio “Negao” Nascimento via unanimous decision.
• Gerson Dos Santos (USA East) def. Joao Asis via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 3:50
• Chuck Grigsby (USA East) def. Spencer Hooker via unanimous decision
• Shane Del Rosario (USA West) def. Lloyd Marshbanks via TKO — Round 1, 1:34

Team USA East def. Team USA West 4-1

TEAM ENGLAND VS. RUSSIA LEGION

• Yura Ivlev (Russia Legion) def. Scott Hewitt via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 0:54
• Magomed Shikshabekov (Russia Legion) def. Simon Phillips via submission (reverse heel hook) — Round 1, 0:15
• Ansar Chalangov (Russia Legion) def. Matt Thorpe via submission (reverse heel hook) — Round 1, 0:41
• Besiki Gerenava def. Lee Austin via unanimous decision
• Rob Broughton (England) def. Akhmed Sultanov via submission (keylock) — Round 1, 4:31

Russia Legion def. Team England 4-1

Pictured: Mike Campbell kicks Mike Madrano

The “California Kid’s” victory highlighted the twelve-bout card which was broadcast on Versus.

Faber dominated from the opening bell, controlling the pace of the bout with a right hand that immediately found it’s mark and continued to land for the remainder of the bout. After an especially dominant opening to the first round Pulver coutered Faber’s early shots with some offense of his own but Faber finished out the round with accurate rights. In the second, Faber rocked Pulver with a combination then followed with even more strikes but the UFC veteran survived the flurry and returned with some offense of his own, hurting Faber with a solid combination before the pair finished out the round with a back-and-forth exchanged.

Through the final three frames, Faber continued to connect with accurate rights and combos and secured multiple takedowns to wrap up the exciting unanimous decision victory. Judges scored the bout 50-45, 50-44, and 50-44. MMAFrenzy.com scored the contest 50-45 in faver of the “California Kid”.

After the fight, both fighters expressed their mutual respect for one another while the announcer’s set the stage for a Faber-Pulver rematch down the road. When asked about a potential rematch, Jens Pulver (21-9-1) stated that he wished to defeat another opponent before rematching with the promotion’s dominant 145-pound champion Urijah Faber (21-1), who improved his record to twenty-one wins and only one loss with the unanimous decision victory.

In the event’s other title bout, the promotion’s 135-pound bantamweight title was on the line as champion Miguel Torres (34-1) looked to defend his crown against challenger Yoshiro Maeda (23-5-2). In a very exciting, back-and-forth battle the pair put on quite the show, battering, bruising, and bloodying one-another over three full rounds. After closely contested first and second rounds, Torres took control in the third and tagged his opponent with a series of combinations including a solid punch that immediately caused Maeda’s eye to swell. Maeda narrowly survives the round but during the break the doctor calls the bout as a result of the eye injury and Torres is declared the winner, retaining the WEC bantamweight title.

In other main card action, Chuck Grigsby (13-4), who held a distinct size advantage over opponent Mark Munoz (4-0), was knocked unconscious late in the opening round after Munoz connected with a vicious ground and pound assault from the top position and former WEC lightweight champion “Razor” Rob McCullough (16-4) defeated Kenneth Alexander (5-3) via split decision to open the broadcast with scores of 30-27, 30-27, and 28-29.

WEC 34 OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Champion Urijah Faber def. Jens Pulver via unanimous decision
  WEC Featherweight Championship
• Champion Miguel Torres def. Yoshiro Maeda via TKO – Round 3, 5:00
  WEC Bantamweight Championship
• Mark Munoz def. Chuck Grigsby via KO – Round 1, 4:15
• Rob McCullough def. Kenneth Alexander via split decision
• Donald Cerrone def. Danny Castillo via submission – Round 1, 1:30
• Mike Brown def. Jeff Curran via unanimous decision
• Will Ribeiro def. Chase Beebe via split decision
• Tim McKenzie def. Jeremy Lang via submission – Round 3, 0:40
• Alex Serdyukov def. Luis Sapo via TKO – Round 1, 5:00
• Jose Aldo def. Alexandre Nogueira via TKO – Round 2, 3:22
• Dominick Cruz def. Charlie Valencia via unanimous decision

• Champion Urijah Faber def. Jens Pulver via unanimous decision
  WEC Featherweight Championship
• Champion Miguel Torres def. Yoshiro Maeda via TKO – Round 3, 5:00
  WEC Bantamweight Championship
• Mark Munoz def. Chuck Grigsby via KO – Round 1, 4:15
• Rob McCullough def. Kenneth Alexander via split decision
• Donald Cerrone def. Danny Castillo via submission – Round 1, 1:30
• Mike Brown def. Jeff Curran via unanimous decision
• Will Ribeiro def. Chase Beebe via split decision
• Tim McKenzie def. Jeremy Lang via submission – Round 3, 0:40
• Alex Serdyukov def. Luis Sapo via TKO – Round 1, 5:00
• Jose Aldo def. Alexandre Nogueira via TKO – Round 2, 3:22
• Dominick Cruz def. Charlie Valencia via unanimous decision

EXTENDED RESULTS

CHAMPION URIJAH FABER DEF. JENS PULVER
WEC FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

ROUND 1 – There’s no touch of gloves for this one and Faber gets started quickly with a solid series of punches. Faber continues to tag Pulver with rights. He slips and Pulver pounces onto the WEC champ but they both return to their feet. Pulver is accidentally poked in the eye but the action quickly resumed. Pulver connects with a good knee. Pulver improves late in the round but Faber continues to land right hands. Good late combo by Pulver. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Faber.

ROUND 2 – Pulver is accidentally kicked in the groin early in round two and after a brief break they quickly resume. Faber gets a takedown on the restart but they return to their feed. Faber rocks Pulver a combination and continues with a series of strikes that Pulver is narrowly able to survive. Now it’s Pulver’s turn, who comes back with a solid combination led by a hard left hand that hurts Faber who then shoots for a takedown. Both fighters return to their feet late and trade before the round concludes. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Faber.

ROUND 3 – Faber again utilizes his right hand to open the third round and it finds its mark. Pulver with a big kick to the body. Faber counters with a kick and then shoots for a takedown. Pulver sprawls and ends up on top in a scramble. Faber reverses and claims the top position but Pulver neutralizes and they are soon restarted by the referee. They trade again late as the horn sounds to mark the end of the third. The closest round thus far on the scorecards. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Faber.

ROUND 4 – Pulver is hit by a Faber combo to open the fourth. Another solid combination by Faber sets up a takedown. They remain on the mat for the remainder of the frame with Faber peppering elbows onto Pulver to win the fourth round and take a dominating lead on the scorecards. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Faber.

ROUND 5 – Pulver avoids a Faber takedown and looks for the knockout but it’s not to be had as Faber avoids the punches. Pulver connects with a hard left. Pulver again connects but Faber gets one more takedown to win the final round on the scorecards and rides his way to a unanimous decision victory to retain the promotion’s 145-pound title. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Faber and the bout 50-45 Faber.

Champion Urijah Faber defeats Jens Pulver via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-44, 50-44)

CHAMPION MIGUEL TORRES DEF. YOSHIRO MAEDA
WEC BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

ROUND 1- Torres slips avoiding a kick and Maeda follows him to the mat but Torres is quickly back on his feet and presses the action, landing a series of knees and kicks that has Maeda running away. They go to the ground and Torres nearly finishes of his foe with an armbar but Maeda escapes and Torres gets back to his feet. Their pair exchange some solid knees. The go back-and-forth with more strikes before Maeda catches a kick and Torres pulls guard. They briefly trade on the ground before returning to their feet and again go back-and-forth. The pace finally slows briefly before Torres scores a good punch-kick combo just before the end of the frame. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Torres.

ROUND 2 – Maeda again makes Torres slip avoiding a kick early in the second round and makes him pay, brutally landing leg kicks. Torres comes back with a up kick that hits Maeda on the chin. Back on their feet the war wages on and the pair again go back and forth with hard punches, kicks, and knees. The fight again hits the mat and both simultaneously secure toe holds. Neither taps however and they scramble away and return to their feet. After another offensive series on their feet Torres secures a guillotine then mounts Maeda late and lands a series of good kicks to the ribs to steal the second round. MMAFrenzy.com scores the second round 10-9 Torres.

ROUND 3 – Both fighters are bloodied, bruised, and battered. Torres scores a solid combination to open the round. Torres continues to connect as the round wages on and Maeda’s eye starts to swell. It’s all Torres in the third but Maeda survives the round despite landing very little in contrast to the previous back-and-forth rounds. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Torres.

Between rounds the doctor rules Maeda is unable to continue due his his eye, which has now swollen shut, and Torres remains the promotion’s bantamweight champion.

Miguel Torres defeats Yoshiro Maeda via technical knockout (doctor’s stoppage) – Round 3, 5:00

MARK MUNOZ DEF. CHUCK GRIGSBY

ROUND 1 – A brief feeling out period before Munoz shoots multiple times and Grigsby, with a distinct size advantage, sprawls to remain on his feet. Munoz and Grigsby clinch before they fall to the mat and Munoz lands in side control. Grigsby quickly gets back to full guard and looks for submissions but none are to be had. Munoz quickly gains the upper hand and pounds on Grigsby before transitioning to side control. The ground and pound assault continues and Munoz knocks Grigsby out before referee Steve Mazzagatti can halt the bout late in the opening round.

Mark Munoz defeats Chuck Grigsby via knockout – Round 1, 4:15

ROB MCCULLOUGH DEF. KENNETH ALEXANDER

ROUND 1 – There’s little action in the opening minute as they attempt to get a feel for one another. Alexander shoots for a takedown but McCullough reverses and takes Alexander down. They work back to their feet but there’s little strikes and next none land. Alexander again shoots for a takedown and McCoullough tags him with a punch to avoid the takedown. High kick by Alexander is blocked.  Punch-kick combo by McCullough. Alexander with a decent combo and they lock up but quickly break. Alexander shoots again but McCullough hits him with a knee on the way in that just misses but Alexander again returns to his feet. The round ends. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 McCullough.

ROUND 2 – They stand and trade early before Alexander shoots and finally takes McCullough to the ground but they quickly return to their feet. McCullough misses and Alexander shoots but McCullough sprawls and they’re both back up. The boos from the crowd continue to get louder as the fight wages on with little damage done. Body kick by Alexander is blocked. Solid uppercut and kick by Alexander. McCullough counters with a kick of his own. Alexander misses a head kick. Inside leg kick by McCullough. Another late-knee by McCullough just misses. Alexander gets a takedown and lands in half guard but he’s unable to do anything on the ground before the round concludes. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Alexander.

ROUND 3 – Both fighters are much more active to start the final round as the pair trade much more solid strikes. Alexander catches McCullough with a solid knee. Overhand by Alexander misses. Solid leg kick by McCullough followed by another. Punch-kick combo by McCullough knocks Alexander down and he returns to his feet and locks up with McCullough. McCullough accidentally knees Alexander in the groin and the fight is halted to allow Alexander time to recover. They quickly resume and Alexander shoots but McCullough sprawls and remains standing. They clinch against the cage briefly then separate momentarily before clinching again. Knees to the body by McCullough before they again separate. Alexander takes McCullough down but McCullough provides most of the offense on the ground in the form of elbows before they both get back to their feet. Alexander works for another takedown but McCullough defends the attempt as the final round ends. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 McCullough. On our cards it’s 29-28 in favor of McCullough but this one could go either way as neither fighter did enough to clearly win any of the three rounds.

Rob McCullough defeats Kenneth Alexander via split decision (30-27, 30-27, 28-29)

• Urijah Faber vs. Jens Pulver
  WEC Featherweight Championship
• Yoshiro Maeda vs. Miguel Torres
  WEC Bantamweight Championship
• Chuck Grigsby vs. Mark Munoz
• Kenneth Alexander vs. Rob McCullough

PRELIMINARY BOUTS

• Richard Crunkilton Jr. vs. Donald Cerrone
• Jeff Curran vs. Mike Brown
• Chase Beebe vs. Will Ribeiro
• Tim McKenzie vs. Eric Schambari
• Alex Serdyukov vs. Luis Sapo
• Jose Aldo vs. Alexandre Nogueira
• Charlie Valencia vs. Dominick Cruz

The June 1st event, WEC 34, takes place at the ARCO Arena in Sacramento, California and features a main event featherweight title bout between current champion Uriah Faber and former UFC lightweight champ Jens Pulver. The event will air live on Versus beginning at 9pm ET.

McCullough captured the WEC lightweight belt with a submission win over Kit Cope at WEC 25 in early-2007. Following his first title defense via first round stoppage against Richard Crunkilton at WEC 30 last September, McCullough dropped the 155-pound title in February at WEC 32 to Jamie Varner.

Alexander, who had won five of his first seven professional fights, will look to rebound from a WEC 30 loss to Donald Cerrone. Fortunately for Alexander the submission loss was erased from his record and recorded as a no contest after Cerrone tested positive for a diuretic during a post-event drug tests.

The current official fight card for the event is after the jump…

For more on WEC 34 check out the MMAFrenzy.com rumors section.

OFFICIAL WEC 34 FIGHT CARD

Main Card

• Urijah Faber vs. Jens Pulver
  WEC Featherweight Championship
• Yoshiro Maeda vs. Miguel Torres
  WEC Bantamweight Championship
• Chuck Grigsby vs. Mark Munoz
• Kenneth Alexander vs. Rob McCullough

Preliminary Bouts

• Jeff Curran vs. Mike Brown
• Tim McKenzie vs. Eric Schambari
• Alex Serdyukov vs. Luis Sapo
• Jose Aldo vs. Alexandre Nogueira
• Charlie Valencia vs. Dominick Cruz