Less than 24 hours after UFC 101, MMA fans have another night of fights ahead of them, as the bantamweight champion of the world, Miguel Torres, will take on Brian Bowles Sunday at WEC 42. A full preview is below.
What: WEC 42: Torres vs. Bowles
When: The televised card begins at 9 PM ET.
Where: Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas.
How: Watch live on Versus, or follow along with our coverage here at FanHouse.
Predictions on the four televised fights:
Miguel Torres vs. Brian Bowles
Torres, who's one of the Top 5 pound-for-pound fighters in the world, sounds like he's both supremely confident heading into this fight and cognizant of the need to continue improving as a fighter.
"I have holes in my game," Torres said last week. "I know I'm considered one of the best fighters in the world, but at the same time I have a lot of holes in my game. So I'm working on my wrestling, and in my stand-up, I'm working not to take a punch to give a punch."
But Torres, who is 37-1 in his pro MMA career, also said he doesn't think the 7-0 Bowles can hang with him.
"I've never seen Brian Bowles throw one kick or one effective knee," Torres said. "Brian's earned his shot, but I don't think he's faced opponents as good as myself. I don't think he's faced anybody who has the game I have."
I think Torres is right: Bowles is a good fighter, but Torres is on a whole different level: Prediction: Torres by first-round TKO.
Joseph Benavidez vs. Dominick Cruz
The winner of this fight is likely to get the next bantamweight title shot against the winner of Torres vs. Bowles. I think Benavidez, with his unorthodox stand-up style, is likely to frustrate Cruz on his feet and become the No. 1 contender.
Prediction: Benavidez by decision.
Takeya Mizugaki vs. Jeff Curran
Mizugaki, who took Torres to a decision in April in one of the fights of the year, is hoping to earn another shot at the champion. He'll take a big step toward getting that rematch by using his impressive, effective punching to stop Curran.
Prediction: Mizugaki by second-round TKO.
Ricardo Lamas vs. Danny Castillo
The 6-0 Lamas was a good college wrestler who's learning the jiu jitsu game and improving as an all-around MMA fighter, and I think he's going to stay undefeated with a win over Castillo.
Prediction: Lamas by decision.
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