LAS VEGAS – “WEC 45: Cerrone vs. Ratcliff” takes place tonight at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nev. The event is headlined by Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone and Ed “9mm” Ratcliff facing off in a lightweight showdown to see who will take that next step toward getting a shot at the title.

Also on the card, IFL veteran Chris Horodecki makes his WEC debut against Anthony Njokuani, Team Alpha Male member Joseph Benavidez takes on Roni Yahya, and Scott Jorgensen faces the always tough Takeya Mizugaki.

ProMMA.info will be providing live play-by-play commentary of WEC 45 corresponding with the live broadcast on Versus beginning at 7pm PT/10pm ET.

Quick Results:

• Erik Koch def. Jameel Massouh by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Brad Pickett def. Kyle Dietz by submission (Peruvian neck tie) Rd 2 (4:36)
• Brandon Visher def. Courtney Buck by TKO (punches) Rd 1 (4:45)
• Chad George def. John Hosman by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Zach Micklewright def. Muhsin Corbbrey by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Bart Palaszewski def. Anthony Pettis by split decision (30-27, 27-30, 29-28)
• Scott Jorgensen def. Takeya Mizugaki via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Joseph Benavidez def. Rani Yahya by KO (punches) Rd 1 (1:35)
• Anthony Njokuani def. Chris Horodecki by TKO (strikes) Rd 1 (3:33)
• Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone def. Ed “9mm” Ratcliff by submission (rear-naked choke) Rd 3 (3:47)

Main Card play-by-play:

Scott Jorgensen (135) vs. Takeya Mizugaki (135)

Round 1 – Mizugaki gets dropped with a big punch, then goes for a guillotine. Mizugaki is up and seems okay. Mizugaki landing some knees to the body while holding a body lock. Jorgensen gets a takedown when Mizugaki throws a knee, but Mizugaki gets right back up and they clinch. They square up again and Mizugaki lands a combination to the body. They trade punches but Mizugaki gets the best of it. Then Jorgensen fires back and lands some nice shots of his own, then drops Mizugaki with a big punch. Jorgensen gets side control and takes his back. Mizugaki stands up, they clinch. They let go and square up, trade some punches as the bell sounds. I give that round 10-9 to Jorgensen.

Round 2 – Jorgensen lands a nice left, then scores with a takedown. Mizugaki is back up, they clinch and trade knees for awhile. Ref stops them and restarts in the middle. They trade strikes, then Jorgensen gets the takedown, but Mizugaki gets right up. Jorgensen scores with some nice punches then a short right elbow lands solid. Jorgensen scores another takedown and Mizugaki bounces right up. I score that round 10-9 Jorgensen.

Round 3 – Both guys are firing away but Jorgensen landing much more often at the moment. It’s been a fast paced fight. Nice solid right by Jorgensen. Nice right by Mizugaki. Jorgensen shoots, gets the trip takedown, Mizugaki flips him over, then gets up. Mizugaki scores his own takedown. Mizugaki controlling from the side. Jorgensen gives up his back. Mizugaki stretches him in a crucifix, Jorgensen gets out but Mizugaki stands up and takes Jorgensen back down very hard. Mizugaki has side control and lands some knees to the body. Jorgensen hanging on from the bottom. Mizugaki punches away until the bell sounds. I score that round 10-9 for Mizugaki but the fight 29-28 for Jorgensen.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Scott Jorgensen def. Takeya Mizugaki by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Joseph Benavidez (135) vs. Rani Yahya (135.5)

Round 1 – Yahya scores with a big leg kick, and again. Benavidez fires back. They both exchange some heavy shots. Benavidez eats a shot, and eats a left jab. These guys are throwing bombs and Benavidez drops Yahya with a huge right hand. The third punch dropped him and he landed about four more to stop Yahya, forcing the ref to step in.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Joseph Benavidez def. Rani Yahya by KO (punches Rd 1 (1:35)

Chris Horodecki (155) vs. Anthony Njokuani (156)

Round 1 – Njokuani is much taller and has a reach advantage too, he lands a quick right jab. He switches stances, throws a left jab, and again. Chris throwing some stuff but nothing landing. Njokuani grabs Horodecki and lands a few knees. Horodecki looking for a takedown, gives it up. They exchange knees then square up. Njokuani lands a nice left as Chris comes in. Horodecki with a bloody nose. Horodecki grabs Njokuani for a takedown but gets thrown to the ground. Horodecki gets up and turns to hurry across the cage. Njokuani chases after him and lands a jumping roundhouse to the face that drops Horodecki. It was beautiful and Njokuani took advantage of a HUGE HUGE mistake by Horodecki. Njokuani follows it up with a few punches and it is over just like that as the ref jumps in.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Anthony Njokuani def. Chris Horodecki by TKO (strikes) Rd 1 (3:33)

Donald Cerrone (155) vs. Ed Ratcliff (155)

Can the “Cowboy’s” six-shooter duel with the “9mm” of Ed Ratcliff? We about to find out folks.

Round 1 – They tie up immediately. Knee to the body by Ratcliff. Ratcliff trips him to the ground but lets him up. Ratcliff lands a solid shot that buckles his knes a bit. Ratcliff kicks Cerrone’s leg and he drops to the ground briefly but catches himself and stands up. They tie up as Cerrone moves in. Ratcliff swings four punches as he lets go of the clinch. They tie up again. Nice right and left by Ratcliff, then a leg kick. Ratcliff catches Cerrone’s kick and punches him. Cerrone grabs a Thai clinch and lands some nice knees. Big leg kick by Cowboy. Body punch by Ratcliff. They tie up and Cerrone lands a low blow with a knee. A brief time out is given. Cerrone comes in punching and Ratcliff tears his legs up. Left hook by Cerrone then a big leg kick. Cowboy lands another knee to the groin that puts Ratcliff in some real pain. Time out is called and a point is deducted from Cowboy. Side kic by Ratcliff, then a series of punches as Cerrone moves in. Cerrone gets a takedown and is in half guard, laying on some punishment as the bell sounds.

Round 2 – Nice uppercut by Cerrone scores. Cowboy puts a big knee in the groin of Ratcliff and he’s down. They give him to time to recover and he needs it after his second groin shot tonight. Cerrone lands some shots and Ratcliff retreats. Cowboy points to the place on the floor in front of him and tells him to bring it on. Cowboy is picking him apart at this point and Ratcliff seems to have lost some of his swagger. He does catch a kick of Cerrone’s and punches him with a right, Cerrone falls back but gets right up. They scramble and Cowboy goes for a kimura, Ratcliff escapes then gets put in a standing guillotine until the bell sounds.  Cerrone has lost 2 points due to low blows.

Round 3 – Flying knee by Ratcliff does not connect. Cerrone grabs him around the back, then grabs a plum and lands a jumping knee and a nice left hook. Cerrone rocks him badly with a right, tCerrone grabs the fence and takes mount. Ref stands them up because Cerrone grabbed the fence. Cerrone throws some kicks and is sort of dancing. Ratcoliff gets taken down and Cerrone mounts, takes his back. Cowboy has a reverse triangle. But takes his leg, puts it under his arm and holds him, Ratcliff starts to get up, Cerrone grabs rear naked choke, and Ratcliff eventually taps. With 2 points taken away, he needed that finish. Great performance. Really made Ratcliff look inferior in the third round.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone def. Ed “9mm” Ratcliff by submission (rear-naked choke) Rd 3 (3:47)