Headliner Mike Brown, the former WEC featherweight champ who suffered a second-round knockout to Jose Aldo in the WEC 44 main event, was suspended until January 3 due to facial lacerations, while Diego Nunes, Cub Swanson, and Antonio Banuelos could be out of action until May after suffering fractures in their fights.

The medical suspensions for WEC 44 were:

• Mike Brown: Suspended until January 3 with no contact until December 19 for lacerations above both eyes.
• Rob McCullough: Suspended until January 3 with no contact until December 19 for right eye cut and left hand contusion.
• Karen Darabedyan: Suspended until December 19 with no contact until December 10 for right cheek laceration
• Will Kerr: Suspended until December 19 with no contact until December 10 for right cheek laceration
• Diego Nunes: Suspended until May 18 for right orbital blowout fracture unless cleared by doctor
• Cub Swanson: Suspended until May 18 for broken fingers unless cleared by doctor
• Antonio Banuelos: Suspended until May 18 for fractured nose unless cleared by doctor

Pictured: Mike Brown

Gamburyan earned $36,000 for his decision win over fellow featherweight contender Leonard Garcia in the WEC 44 co-main event, while Aldo scored $26,000 (and the featherweight title) for his second-round knockout of champ Mike Brown in the event’s headliner.

The official salaries for WEC 44 were:

• Jose Aldo ($26,000 – includes $13,000 win bonus) def. Mike Brown ($15,000)
• Manny Gamburyan ($36,000 – $18,000 win bonus) def. Leonard Garcia ($14,000)
• Karen Darabedyan ($6,000 – $3,000 win bonus) def. Rob McCullough ($20,000)
• Shane Roller ($24,000 – $12,000 win bonus) def. Danny Castillo ($9,500)
• Kamal Shalorus ($6,000 – $3,000 win bonus) def. Will Kerr ($2,000)
• L.C Davis ($14,000 – $7,000 win bonus) def. Diego Nunes ($5,000)
• Cub Swanson ($18,000 – $9,000 win bonus) def. John Franchi ($4,000)
• Antonio Banuelos ($12,000 – $6000 win bonus) def. Kenji Osawa ($6,000)
• Ricardo Lamas ($8,000 – $4,000 win bonus) def. James Krause ($2,000)
• Frank Gomez ($6,000 – $3,000 win bonus) def. Seth Dikun ($3,000)

Remember, the salaries listed above are simply those reported by the WEC to the Nevada State Athletic Commission and do not represent a fighter’s actual earnings.

In addition to their salaries above, Aldo, Roller, Swanson, and Franchi each earned a $10,000 “fight night” bonus for their performances at the event.

For more WEC 44 coverage check out MMAFrenzy.com’s WEC 44 section.

Also on the Versus-televised main card, Manny Gamburyan topped fellow featherweight contender Leonard Garcia by unanimous decision, newcomer Karen Darabedyan scored a split decision win over former lightweight champ rob McCullough, Shane Roller submitted Danny Castillo with a third-round rear naked choke, and Kamal Shalorus knocked out Will Kerr in the opening round.

The complete results for WEC 44 were:

• Jose Aldo def. Mike Brown (c) via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 1:20
  WEC Featherweight Championship
• Manny Gamburyan def. Leonard Garcia by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
• Karen Darabedyan def. Rob McCullough via split decision (30-27, 27-30, 29-28)
• Shane Roller def. Danny Castillo via submission (rear naked choke) – Round 3, 3:32
• Kamal Shalorus def. Will Kerr via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 1:26
• L.C. Davis def. Diego Nunes via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
• Cub Swanson def. John Franchi via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 3, 4:50
• Antonio Banuelos def. Kenji Osawa via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Ricardo Lamas def. James Krause via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Frank Gomez def. Seth Dikun via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Pictured: Jose Aldo

The official fight card for WEC 44 now features:

MAIN CARD

• Mike Brown (c) vs. Jose Aldo
  WEC Featherweight Championship
• Manny Gamburyan vs. Leonard Garcia
• Karen Darabedyan vs. Rob McCullough
• Danny Castillo vs. Shane Roller

PRELIMINARY CARD

• Alex Karalexis vs. Kamal Shalorus
• L.C. Davis vs. Diego Nunes
• John Franchi vs. Cub Swanson
• Antonio Banuelos vs. Kenji Osawa
• James Krause vs. Ricardo Lamas
• Seth Dikun vs. Frank Gomez

WEC featherweight champ Mike Brown and challenger Jose Aldo are expected to headline the Versus-televised event, which is rumored to take place on November 11 at a location and venue to-be-determined.

Nunes (13-0) topped Rafael Dias at WEC 42 earlier this month to win his second-straight WEC bout, while Davis (14-2) won his WEC debut over Javier Vazquez on the same card.

McCullough (17-5) has not fought since a March majority decision victory over Marcus Hicks, while Pettis made his WEC debut in June with a first-round submission of Mike Campbell.

Both Swanson (13-3) and Franchi (5-1) enter their featherweight matchup off losses, as Swanson suffered an eight-second knockout to Jose Aldo in June and Franchi dropped a unanimous decision to Manny Gamburyan on the WEC 41 card.

Stay tuned to MMAFrenzy.com for the latest WEC news and WEC rumors.

• The MMAFrenzy.com rumors section has been completely updated. [MMAFrenzy.com/rumors]
• UFC fighters Rousimar Palhares and Thiago Tavares are likely to return in the fall from injuries. [MMAjunkie]
• With just one fight remaining on his current contract, Rich Franklin is ready to renegotiate with the UFC before his next fight. [MMAjunkie]
• Roger Gracie will make his Strikeforce debut against an opponent to-be-named at Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg on August 15.
• Featherweight contender Wagnney Fabiano will fight at WEC 43 on September 2 in Youngstown, Ohio. An opponent has not yet been set. [MMAjunkie]
• Bobby Lashley will next fight in September. [MMA Fanhouse]
• Gilbert Yvel vs. Paul Buentello has officially been added to the fight card for Affliction: Trilogy.
• Heavyweight veteran Jeff Monson has signed with Ohio-based NAAFS and will debut against Tony Sylvester at Rock N Rumble III at the Nautica Pavilion in Cleveland.
• A timetable for UFC heavyweight Heath Herring’s return has not yet been set. [MMAjunkie]
• Middleweight Rob Kimmons has signed a new four-fight contract with the UFC. [MMAjunkie]
• Mark Hominick vs. Deividas Taurosevicius and LC Davis vs. Javier Vazquez have been booked for the HDNet-televised “Affliction: Trilogy” preliminary card
• Weigh-ins for UFC 100 will take place on Friday, July 10 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, the same venue which will host the July 11 pay-per-view event. (Note: MMAFrenzy.com will be providing a live stream of the weigh-ins)
• WEC lightweight contender and former champion Rob McCullough is likely to return in the “late fall” [MMAjunkie]
• Diego Sanchez will get the next lightweight title shot against the winner of the August 8 matchup between BJ Penn and Kenny Florian. [Yahoo! Sports]
• Ticket sales for UFC 101 on August 8 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia have surpassed 14,000 for a Pennsylviania record-breaking $3+ million live gate. [MMAjunkie]
• Strikeforce will hold a press conference for the promotion’s August 15 matchup between Gina Carano and Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos on July 14 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
• Luiz Cane wants to fight Rich Franklin. [MMAjunkie]
• UFC heavyweight Antoni Hardonk thwarts a robbery in LA. [Yahoo! Sports]

[Pictured: Rich Franklin]

Note: Items without bracketed-links ([]) have either been officially announced or confirmed by MMAFrenzy.com

Razor Rob used to date (or still dates depending on who you ask) adult film star Lexxi Tyler, and “has been linked” to several other women in that industry in the past. Now I’m no head-shrinker, but let’s be honest, if the type of women that throw themselves at high profile MMA fighters were knocking down my door, I might require some professional attention as well. Sadly, that’s neither here nor there.

The report further states that McCullough is essentially trying to kill two birds with one stone, using his healing time (he broke his hand at WEC 39) to simultaneously deal with his aforementioned ailment. Whether his love sickness is cured or not, McCullough is anticipated to be “out of action” (in the cage) for about nine months. Best of luck, Rob.

Mike Brown

WEC featherweight champion Mike Brown sent challenger Leonard Garcia to the canvas with an overhand right in the opening minute of their WEC 39 headliner then went to work to finish his opponent, working ground and pound and attempting a rear naked choke before ultimately forcing Garcia to tap to an arm triangle at 1:57 of the first.

Brown improved to 21-4 with his first title defense, while Garcia falls to 12-3 with the unsuccessful challenge.

The event took place on Sunday, March 1st, at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas and aired live on Versus.

Former champion Urijah Faber is likely to rematch Brown for the belt this summer. Brown captured the title with a first-round TKO of Faber last November. Meanwhile, Garcia could square off with top-contender and WEC 39 victor Jose Aldo to get back into the 145-pound title picture.

Ricardo Lamas, Aldo, and Rob McCullough also earned victories on the evening’s main card.

The event’s complete results were:

• Mike Brown (c) def. Leonard Garcia via submission (arm triangle) — Round 1, 1:57
  WEC Featherweight Championship
• Ricardo Lamas def. Bart Palaszewski via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Jose Aldo def. Chris Mickle via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 1:39
• Rob McCullough def. Marcus Hicks via majority decision (29-29, 30-27, 29-28)
• Danny Castillo def. Phil Cardella via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
• Damacio Page def. Marcos Galvao via knockout — Round 1, 0:18
• Johny Hendricks def. Alex Serdyukov via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Kenji Osawa def. Rafael Rebello via split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)
• Alex Karalexis def. Greg McIntyre via TKO (punches) — Round 1, 4:19
• John Franchi def. Mike Budnik via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Mike Pierce def. Justin Haskins via TKO (punches) — Round 3, 3:39

Mike Brown

All twenty WEC 39 fighters, including featherweight champion Mike Brown and challenger Leonard Garcia, successfully made weight this morning at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas.

WEC 39: Brown vs. Garcia takes place tomorrow evening at the American Bank Center and airs live on Versus.

Mike Brown, who captured the 145-pound title from Urijah Faber in his last bout, tipped the scales at 144.25 pounds while UFC veteran Leonard Garcia weighed-in exactly at 145 pounds.

The complete weigh-in results were:

MAIN CARD (Versus – 9pm ET)

• Mike Brown (144.25) vs. Leonard Garcia (145)
• Bart Palaszewski (155.5) vs. Ricardo Lamas (154.5)
• Jose Aldo (145.5) vs. Chris Mickle (145)
• Rob McCullough (156) vs. Marcus Hicks (155.5)

PRELIMINARY CARD (Un-televised)

• Danny Castillo (156) vs. Phil Cardella (155.5)
• Marcos Galvao (136) vs. Damacio Page (136)
• Johny Hendricks (171) vs. Alex Serdyukov (171)
• Kenji Osawa (135.25) vs. Rafael Rebello (135.25)
• Alex Karalexis (156) vs. Greg McIntyre (155)
• Mike Budnik (145.25) vs. John Franchi (145)
• Justin Haskins (170.25) vs. Mike Pierce (170)

WEC featherweight champion Urijah Faber clashes with Mike Brown in this evening’s main event, while WEC middleweight champion Paulo Filho rematches Chael Sonnen in a three-round, non-title contest after Filho failed to make weight for the contest.

QUICK RESULTS

• Mike Brown def. Urijah Faber (c) via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 2:23
  WEC Featherweight Championship
• Chael Sonen def. Paulo Filho via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  Three-round, non-title bout
• Leonard Garcia def. Jens Pulver via TKO (strikes) — Round1, 1:12
• Jake Rosholt def. Nissen Osterneck via TKO (strikes) — Round 2, 3:48
• Donald Cerrone def. Rob McCullough via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
• Aaron Simpson def. David Avellan via KO (strikes) — Round 1, 0:18
• Jose Aldo def. Justin Brookins via TKO (strikes) — Round 3, 0:45
• Carmelo Marrero def. Steve Steinbeiss via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Danny Castillo def. Rafael Dias via TKO (strikes) — Round 2, 2:54
• Rani Yahya def. Yoshiro Maeda via submission (guillotine) — Round 1, 3:30

EXTENDED RESULTS

MIKE BROWN VS. URIJAH FABER (C)
WEC FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Round 1 – They touch gloves and Faber misses with a straight kick to open the action. Overhand right and left by Faber, followed by a straight right. Head kick by Faber is blocked. Brown has Faber retreating with a pair of punches and they clinch. Brown has double underhooks and looks for the takedown but instead they move the center of the cage and Faber lands a knee. Brown connects and Faber trips to the canvas but is quickly back on his feet. Brown works for a single and catches Faber with a right then drops him to the canvas with a left. Faber does his best to cover up but Brown is relentless and finishes the champion off with strikes on the ground to claim the WEC featherweight title.

Mike Brown def. Urijah Faber (c) via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 2:23

CHAEL SONNEN VS. PAULO FILHO

Round 1 – Filho looks for an early takedown, but Sonnen sprawls and works punches from the top. Filho continues to push for the takedown but Sonnen defends and Sonnen returns to his feet and tags Filho with punches when he follows. Filho goes to the canvas and Sonnen stands and drops punches. Sonnen briefly follows Filho to the ground and works ground and pound from half guard but quickly returns to his feet. Filho grabs a leg but Sonnen pulls out. The crowd grows restless as Sonnen continues to pepper Filho with kicks and punches for the remainder of the round. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Sonnen.

Round 2 – Filho goes for another takedown, but ends up on his back with Sonnen in guard. Sonnen makes Filho get back to his feet. Sonnen knocks him to the canvas with a hard kick, but again forces him to stand up. Another kick by Sonnen and Filho pulls guard, but he’s again prompted to get back up. Sonnen dances around Filho, peppering strikes. Another takedown attempt by Filho, but Sonnen sprawls. Filho attempts to remain on the ground but Sonnen again prompts him to stand. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Sonnen.

Round 3 – It’s more on the same in the third as Filho can’t seem to find his rythym and continues to try to take the action to the ground, but Sonnen refuses and keeps the fight standing for nearly the entire duration while moving and throwing punches. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Sonnen and the fight 30-27 Sonnen.

Chael Sonen def. Paulo Filho via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

JENS PULVER VS. LEONARD GARCIA

Round 1 – Pulver moves forward and both fighter exchanges combos then circle. Pulver closes the distance and has Garcia against the fence but Garcia connects and Pulver is hurt and retreats to the fence. Garcia follows up with more punches and Pulver is unable to recover and the referee quickly stops the bout. An impressive performance by Garcia, but a disappointing fight given its hype.

Leonard Garcia def. Jens Pulver via TKO (strikes) — Round1, 1:12

JAKE ROSHOLT VS. NISSEN OSTERNECK

Round 1 – Osterneck connects early with punches, but he’s too aggressive and Rosholt takes him to the canvas. Working from side control Rosholt connects with punches then takes Osterneck’s back but his opponent reclaims guard. Back on his feet Osterneck connects with more punch combos. Rosholt clinches but they separate and Osterneck again connects, forcing Rosholt to take him to the canvas again. From side control Rosholt connects with punches and knees. More ground and pound from Rosholt before he takes Osterneck’s back late and continues to pound away. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Rosholt.

Round 2 – Rosholt takes Osterneck to the canvas early, but he falls into a submission attempt. Rosholt escapes then moves to side control. Osterneck does a good job of neutralizing most of Rosholt’s offense and the crowd boos the lack of action. The fighters get back to their feet and Osterneck has Rosholt rocked, tagging him with strikes but Osterneck is gassed and Rosholt gets a takedown after a missed spinning backfist, takes mount and works ground and pound to force the referee to halt the bout.

Jake Rosholt def. Nissen Osterneck via TKO (strikes) — Round 2, 3:48

DONALD CERRONE VS. ROB MCCULLOUGH

Round 1 – McCullough and Cerrone trade punches early and McCullough quickly drops his opponent with a straight right. Cerrone quickly returns to his feet they again exchange. McCullough again drops Cerrone with a right, but he’s immediately back up and the fight resumes. Kicks from McCullough start to connect. Cerrone counters with a right the sends McCullough to the mat. Cerrone gets mount and works ground and pound, smashing McCullough with punches. McCullough nearly gives up his back but works into Cerrone’s guard. They return to their feet and McCullough is OK’d to continue due to a cut. Cerrone again drops McCullough late, but he returns to his feet and gets dropped again with another right. Cerrone again follows him to the ground, but McCullough survives. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Cerrone.

Round 2 – More of the same from the first as McCullough and Cerrone trade kicks and punches. McCullough is dropped again with a right-left combo and Cerrone takes his back but McCullough reclaims guard. Cerrone locks in an armbar but McCullough escapes. The fighters return to their feet and exchange strikes for the remainder of the round. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Cerrone.

Round 3 – McCullough and Cerrone swing for the fences to open the third, but Cerrone opts to shoot and gets a takedown. They quickly get back to their feet and continue to trade strikes. Jumping knee by Cerrone connects to McCullough’s chin and Cerrone continues to land but is unable to finish McCullough off. McCullough fires back but Cerrone is the fresher fighter and lands another knee and secures a final takedown before finishing the fight with a flurry staggering McCullough one final time before the bell sounds. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Cerrone and the fight 30-27 Cerrone.

Donald Cerrone def. Rob McCullough via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)

AARON SIMPSON VS. DAVID AVELLAN

Round 1 – Simpson immediately drops Avellan with a right and finishes him off with several more punches to force the referee to step in just 18-seconds into the matchup.

Aaron Simpson def. David Avellan via KO (strikes) — Round 1, 0:18

JOSE ALDO VS. JONATHAN BROOKINS

Round 1 – Aldo dominates the opening round with crisp striking and leg kicks. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Aldo.

Round 2 – Aldo continues to pick Brookings apart with punches and kicks, forcing his opponent to unsuccessfully shoot for a takedown. Aldo continues to connects with boxing and hurts his opponent with kicks. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Aldo.

Round 3 – The third round sees Aldo throw more leg kicks, before dropping his foe to the canvas with a right. Aldo follows up and finished Brookins off with strikes on the ground.

Jose Aldo def. Justin Brookins via TKO (strikes) – Round 3, 0:45

STEVE STEINBEISS VS. CARMELO MARRERO

Round 1 – After touching gloves, Steinbeiss connects first. Marrero scores a takedown but he can’t keep him down and they return to their feet. Another successful takedown for Marrero and Steinbeiss captures guard. Steinbeiss looks for a triangle but Marrero avoids. Steinbeiss again works back to his feet but Marrero promptly puts him back down. Another triangle attempt is escaped by Marrero and Steinbeiss instead works elbows late. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Marrero.

Round 2 – Steinbeiss opens with a punch-kick combo and Marrero counters then gets another takedown. Marrero passes then works a kimura, before briefly taking mount. Steinbeiss gets back into half guard and then returns to his feet. They separate and Steinbeiss connects with the jab, so Marrero shoots again. Steinbeiss evades and Marrero slips to the canvas late in exhaustion. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Marrero.

Round 3 – Marrero is gassed to start the final frame and Steinbeiss capitalizes early and connects with punches. Marerro tries to get the fight to the ground but Steinbeiss resists and they remain on their feet. Marrero finally gets a takedown, captures mount, and works a guillotine. Steinbeiss escapes and Marerro tags him with an elbow but Steinbess gets him guard back before the end of the bout. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Steinbeiss and the fight 29-28 Marrero.

Carmelo Marrero def. Steve Steinbeiss via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

DANNY CASTILLO VS. RAFAEL DIAS

Round 1 – Castillo misses with early punches and Dias counters with straight punches that connect. Castillo shoots for a takedown but Dias defends and they return to their feet where Dias tries for a takedown of his own but Castillo sprawls. Castillo connects with a uppercut and Dias stumbles to the canvas but the referee quickly stands them up. Both fighters trade punches, then Dias looks for a guillotine from the clinch but Castillo evades. More punches from both fighters late. MMAFrenzy.com scores the round 10-9 Dias.

Round 2 – Castillo works a jab to open the second, but Dias shoots and secures a takedown. Dias stacks him and throws punches. Submission attempts by Castillo from the bottom, but he’s unable to secure anything. They scramble and Dias briefly takes his back, but Castillo claims the top then they return to their feet. Dias attempts another takedown but ends up on his back and Castillo reigns down punches, forcing the referee to intervene.

Danny Castillo def. Rafael Dias via TKO (strikes) — Round 2, 2:54

RANI YAHYA VS. YOSHIRO MAEDA

Round 1 – Yahya shoots early and the fighters clinch against the fence. Maeda grabs a guillotine and it’s deep, nearly forcing Yahya to submit before eventually escaping. Back in the clinch, Yahya secures a guillotine of his own and forces Maeda to tap.

Rany Yahya def. Yoshiro Maeda via submission (gulliotine) — Round 1, 3:30