Issue 074
April 2011
1150
As 2010 gave way to 2011 we saw the end of one of the MMA’s most exciting promotions: the WEC. In its history, World Extreme Cagefighting rang the opening bell on a massive 1,150 separate bouts. After being founded by Scott Adams and Reed Harris in 2001, there were 53 events including its final show in December 2010.
234
The main event of the inaugural WEC card pitted road warriors Dan Severn and Travis Fulton against one another. Since that night the pair have taken part in a combined 234 fights.
6348
The attendance for the WEC’s final event checked in at 6,348. Those fans got to see the promotion go out with a bang as Anthony Pettis pulled off the greatest off-the-fence ninja kick the sport has seen to claim the decision and the lightweight belt from Ben Henderson.
25
The first WEC event held under Zuffa management (owners of the UFC) was WEC 25 on January 20, 2007. It was also the promotion’s first to be held in Las Vegas.
10
Ten US states held a WEC event: California, Connecticut, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Florida, New Mexico, Ohio and Texas. But, the company did manage a trip abroad once; WEC 49 was held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
2nd
A UFC lightweight title fight has ended in a draw twice. The first was back at UFC 41 when BJ Penn fought Caol Uno to a draw, the second was Gray Maynard vs Frankie Edgar at UFC 125.
44
The draw between Penn and Uno was for a vacated title so neither fighter could claim ownership. The result meant a near 44-month suspension of the 155lb belt.
44
And sticking with 44, Maynard landed that number of strikes on Edgar in round one in an attempt to finish the fight after he rocked Edgar multiple times.
2:11
In what turned into an enjoyable slugfest, the wrestlers spent a time of just 2:11 on the ground and almost 23 minutes on their feet.
106
After round one, Edgar connected 106 times while Maynard was able to hit Edgar with just 55 strikes.
Numbers provided by Zac Robinson, co-author of Sports by the Numbers: MMA. Zac has also co-written the recently released biography From the Fields to the Garden: The Life of Stitch Duran. It's available online at Amazon and blackmesabooks.com. For more info go to: www.sportsbythenumbersmma.com
THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF QUINTON ‘RAMPAGE’ JACKSON
One of the world's most popular fighters, Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson has gained both appraisal and notoriety for his actions – in the ring or otherwise. A power-based, slam-loving fight style has earned him the nod from scrap fans, while playing the much-adored BA Baracus in the block busting A-Team film means the mainstream beckons.
1999
Makes pro debut in hometown of Memphis at 21 years old and scores a decision victory over Mike Pyle – who’ll also still be around 12 years later.
2001
Makes Pride debut against the legendary ‘Gracie Killer’, Kazushi Sakuraba. Although he loses via rear naked choke, his performance significantly raises his profile and earns him the beginnings of a solid Japanese fan base.
2003
Becomes a household name for Pride after beating future UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell in the 2003 Pride Middleweight Grand Prix (205lbs) yet is knocked out by Wanderlei Silva in the final.
June 2004
Famously power bombs Ricardo Arona for the KO victory at Pride Critical Countdown. It would be the first in a series of slams that would eventually earn him the accolade of ‘slam specialist’.
October 2004
Faces off with Wanderlei Silva in the second grudge match of their epic trilogy. Although coming out strong and knocking Silva down in the first round, Rampage is KO’d by Silva via a series of brutal knee strikes.
Early 2007
Makes UFC debut at UFC 67: All or Nothing. Avenges his first career loss by beating Marvin Eastman by KO in round two.
Mid 2007
KO’s Chuck Liddell with a right hook to the jaw in the first round of their much-anticipated rematch at UFC 71. Defends his title by defeating Pride middleweight champion Dan Henderson at UFC 75, unifying the two promotions.
April 2008
Premiers as coach on The Ultimate Fighter 7. After a dismal display of mentoring, Rampage goes on to lose his light heavyweight title to Forrest Griffin via unanimous decision in the show’s climactic event at UFC 86.
July 2008
Is involved in a high-speed police pursuit through Newport Beach, California, leading officers in a chase down the wrong side of the road and nearly hitting several pedestrians. Pleading guilty, Rampage, who had no foreign substances in his bloodstream, citied lack of sleep and too many energy drinks as the cause.
May 2010
After an eventful Christmas KO'ing Wanderlei Silva at UFC 92 to avenge his previous two losses, Rampage secures a movie deal as BA Baracus in The A-Team. The cream is soured somewhat by a breakdown of relations with the UFC, as Rampage swerves a title defense against arch-rival Rashad Evans in Memphis to undergo filming.
September 2010
Rampage shows another less than inspired display of coaching on his second appearance as a trainer for The Ultimate Fighter 10. Goes on to lose against his opposite-number coach, Rashad Evans, at UFC 114.
November 2010
Beats formidable opponent and former light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida via split decision at UFC 123, entering 2011 on the back of a crucial win.
