World Extreme Cagefighting presents WEC 44: Brown vs. Aldo, taking place tonight at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. The main event features WEC Featherweight Champion Mike Brown (22-4), on a 10-fight win streak, defending his title against Jose Aldo (15-1), who has knocked out his last five opponents.
We here at ProMMA.info will be providing live play-by-play commentary coinciding with the main card which airs live on Versus beginning at 8 p.m. CT.
Quick Results:
PRELIMINARY CARD
•Frank Gomez def. Seth Dikun by unanimous decision Rd 3 (5:00)
•Ricardo Lamas def. James Krause by unanimous decision Rd 3 (5:00)
•Antonio Banuelos def. Kenji Osawa by unanimous decision Rd 3 (5:00)
•Cub Swanson def. John Franchi by submission (guillotine) Rd 3 (4:50)
•L.C. Davis def. Diego Nunes by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
MAIN CARD
•Kamal Shalorus def. Will Kerr by TKO (punches) Rd 1 (1:26)
•Shane Roller def. Danny Castillo by rear-naked choke submission Rd 3 (3:32)
•Karen Darabedyan def. Rob McCullough by split decision (30-27, 27-30, 29-28)
•Manny Gamburyan def. Leonard Garcia by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
•Jose Aldo def. Mike Thomas Brown by TKO (punches) Rd 2 (1:20)
Play-by-play commentary
Kamal Shalorus vs. Will Kerr
Round 1 – Undefeated Kamal Shalorus starts with a leg kick, then lands a big left that drops Kerr. Kerr attempts a leg lock and heel hook but Shalorus escapes. Kerr stands, is visibly shaken, Shalorus pressures him against the cage and lands a huge right hand that drops Kerr, follows up, and the ref is forced to stop the bout.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Kamal Shalorus def. Will Kerr by TKO (punches) Rd 1 (1:26)
Danny Castillo vs. Shane Roller
Round 1 – Both guys throw some measuring jabs. Looking for range. Castillo connects first with a body shot, Castillo with a leg kick. Right hand by Castillo is partially blocked. Left hand by Castillo connects. Rogger shoots but Castillo defends. Castillo has a body lock, presses Castillo against the cage. Castillo escapes. Castillo shoots, gets the takedown but Roller is right back up. Pretty even fight at this point. Rogger throws a big left hook but catches air. Roller goes for a guillotine but can’t get it. Huge knee by Roller but Castillo catches it and puts him on his back. Elbows by Castillo. Round ends with Castillo on top in Roller’s guard. ProMMA.info scores the round 10-9 for Castillo.
Round 2 – Castillo ties up Roller against the cage, lands some body shots. They square up again. Castillo comes forward swinging. Roller falls to his back, but he’s not hurt. Roller stands up. They clinch. Lots of swinging and missing by both fighters. Big knee connects by Roller. Roller gets the takedown, has side control and gets mount. Roller locks on a guillotine, it’s very tight. Roller is throwing punches to his head as he lets it go. Castillo gives up his back. Roller flattens him out and is pounding, trying to soften him up, continues with punches. Roller wants a guillotine, gets too high, lets his hooks off, and Castillo goes out the back door. Castillo is up, Roller is up and Castillo lands a couple punches as the bell sounds. ProMMA.info scores that round 10-9 for Roller.
Round 3 – Castillo lands a mean right hook to the body. Roller shoots, gets stuffed, and Castillo lands on top in Roller’s guard. Castillo stands up, goes for a big knee, but realizes Roller still has a knee and two hands on the mat. Castillo puts on the pressure as Roller is still on his back. Castillo gets mount with 2:40 to go in this final round. Roller, rolls out, he gets on one knee and Castillo lands a big punch. Roller stands, puts a big slam on Castillo and takes his back. Roller sneaks in a rear-naked choke on Castillo, pulls it tight, and Castillo is forced to tap.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Shane Roller def. Danny Castillo by rear-naked choke submission Rd 3 (3:32)
“Razor” Rob McCullough vs. Karen Darabedyan
Round 1 – Tito’s sitting ring side for his boy “Razor.” They exchange some big shots, Rob eats a couple right to the jaw. Inside leg kick by Karen. Rob returns the kick. Karen looks very comfortable. Rob with another inside leg kick, and again. Huge left hook by Karen right to the chin of Rob. Inside leg kick by Razor. Big punches by Karen and Razor returns fire. Inside leg kick by Karen. Leg kick by Rob. Razor looking a bit tentative. Leg kick by Razor. Leg kick followed by a combo by Razor. Leg kick by Razor and Karen shakes his leg afterwards. Hand combo, followed by a body kick from Razor. Left jab by Karen opens a cut on Razor’s nose. Karen lands another combo of punches. Leg kick by Razor and eats a couple punches to the face. 45 seconds left. Karen with a double left jab followed by a big right. Karen’s hands look great as he lands another couple shots. Razor kicks his leg before the bell. ProMMA.info has to give that round to Karen 10-9.
Round 2 – Left jab by Karen, Rob with a leg kick, and Karen shoots, gets the takedown. Rob has full guard. Karen lands some punches from the guard. Big elbow from Karen and another one, and another. Karen goes for a leg submission and Rob gets to his feet. Rob lands a big knee. Left punch by Karen and Rob lands a nice leg kick. Nice exchange from both fighters. Both fighters are cut. Nice left jab by Karen. Rob lands a punch as Karen comes in with a combo. Kick by Rob but he eats a big punch. Rob calls Karen to bring it on. Leg kick by Rob. Combo by Karen, and he takes some leg kicks for his trouble. Big left hand by Karen as the bell sounds. Damn close round. ProMMA.info gives the round to Karen 10-9.
Round 3 – Leg kick by Karen. Left straight punch by Karen, and again. Karen working that jab. Rob lands another big leg kick, and one to the inside. Left hook by Karen, then shoots. Rob stuffs it. Inside leg kick by Karen. Another one by Karen. Rob lands one himself. Inside leg kick by Razor. Both guys land a punch. Rob still working those legs and Karen lands a leg kick. Karen seems to have slowed down his attack. Two left jabs by Karen. Rob with a leg kick. Body kick by Rob, and he eats a punch. One minute to go. Body kick by Razor. Leg kick by Razor. McCullough certainly more of the aggressor in this round. Karen lands a big left and another one, Rob lands a leg kick, and offers Karen a free shot as the bell sounds. ProMMA.info scores that round for McCullough 10-9, and gives the fight to Kare Darabedyan 29-28.
Color Commentator Frank Mir gave the second round to McCullough, so that would give him the fight if Mir is correct. Keep in mind, Mir is often known to show favoritism.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Karen Darabedyan def. Rob McCullough by split decision (30-27, 27-30, 29-28)
Leonard Garcia vs. Manny Gamburyan
Round 1 – This should be a great fight. Manny stalking, stops, takes a leg kick from Garcia. Huge left hand by Garcia as Manny shoots in. Leg kick by Manny. One, two by Garcia. Leg kick by Manny. Left hook by Garcia. Manny shoots, gets a single, lets it go, presses Garcia against the cage, lands a low knee. Time is called and Manny is warned. Manny locks the body and they trade knees. Manny gets a body clinch, against the cage. Manny still pressing. Knee to the body by Manny. Manny has underhooks. Ref calling for work. Ref separates them and restarts in the center. Garcia lands a body kick as Manny shoots. Manny picks up Garcia as the bell sounds. ProMMA.info scores that round 10-9 for Garcia.
Round 2 – Head kick by Garcia, slips, regains balance. Leg kick by Manny. Manny throws a punch and slips to the ground. He gets up. Big right hand by Garcia. Nice uppercut by Garcia as Manny shoots. Manny gets a double leg, puts Garcia down, but he bounces up right away. They exchange some shots from the clinch. Knee to the thigh by Garcia. They square up again and Manny eats a punch. Body kick by Garcia, glances off Manny. Manny misses with a big overhand right and slips to the ground. Leonard pounces, Manny picks him up, slams him, and is in Leonard’s half guard. Garcia gets out and starts to stand up. Manny is landing knees to the legs and is putting on the pressure, gets Garcia down and lands some punches. Garcia looks pissed as the bell sounds. ProMMA.info scores that round 10-9 for Gamburyan.
Round 3 – Big overhand right by Garcia is blocked mostly. Gamburyan fires back. Body kick by Garcia. Manny lands a nice right hand as Garcia comes forward. Nice one, two by Manny. Garcia looks pissed and is calling him to come on. Garcia calls him to punch him, drops his hands, and Manny lands a shot, but doesn’t engage in the slug fest Garcia wants. Manny gets the takedown, and has side control. Garcia stands. Manny still has a leg, Garcia tries to run away, Manny has a body lock, delivers some knees to the legs. Manny takes him down, Garcia gets up but Manny on him like Clay Guida. Garcia still trying to get free of Manny’s clinch. Manny gets Garcia back down on his back, in his half guard. Manny with some ground and pound, Garcia escapes as the bell sounds. Both guys raise their hands and hug it out. ProMMA.info scores the round 10-9 for Gamburyan and the fight 29-28 for Gamburyan.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Manny Gamburyan def. Leonard Garcia by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Mike Thomas Brown vs. Jose Aldo
Round 1 – Dana White’s favorite person, Steve Mazzagatti is the ref. Aldo lands a big uppercut, eats a right, then lands a big leg kick. They clinch for a moment. Aldo lands a leg kick. Brown swings and misses twice. Uppercut by Aldo. Huge leg kick by Aldo. Head kick by Aldo is blocked but loud. Push kick by Brown. Brown with a small cut on his head. Aldo lands a head kick and a punch to the face. Brown rocked, clinches up with Aldo, presses him against the cage. Brown looking for the takedown, Aldo defending very well. Brown kneeing the thighs of Aldo. This is a GREAT match-up. Knee to the body by Brown. One minute to go in the round. Left jab by Aldo, then a body kick. Push kick by Brown. Leg kick by Aldo. Flying knee to the body by Aldo followed by a leg kick. Push kick by Brown. Wow! ProMMA.info scores that round 10-9 for Aldo.
Round 2 – Combo by Brown blocked. Aldo lands some shots and a knee, Brown shoots. They clinch. Separate. Aldo gets Brown to the ground and gets full mount. Takes Brown’s back and pounds away. Brown is doing nothing and Mazzagatti stops it. Brown was not defending and just covering. Right call.
With his corner man Pedro Rizzo translating, Jose Aldo accepts his new title.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Jose Aldo def. Mike Thomas Brown by TKO (punches) Rd 2 (1:20)