Photo by: Sherdog - The "Cowboy" stares down with a man who can finally see what he is staring back at. Henderson recently had corrective eye surgery. He has fought his whole career practically blind.
Photo by: Sherdog - "Cowboy" will face the man with new eyes. Ben Henderson recently had corrective eye surgery. He fought his entire career practically blind.

PROMMA.INFO brings live play-by-play commentary of “WEC 43: Cerrone vs. Henderson” which takes place tonight at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. We will be covering the main card in detail as it airs live on Versus beginning at 9 p.m. CT.

The main event features a lightweight interim title fight between Team Jackson’s Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone (10-1) and Benson Henderson (9-1) who is on an eight-fight win streak.

Hit F5 on your keyboard to refresh often, as play-by-play is updated in real time after each round of action.

Quick Results:

  • Deividas Taurosevicius def. Javier Vazquez by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  • Charlie Valencia def. Coty Wheeler by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Eddie Wineland def. Manny Tapia by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Mackens Semerzier def. Wagnney Fabiano by submission (triangle choke) Rd 1 (2:14)
  • Scott Jorgensen def. Noah Thomas by TKO (strikes) Rd 1 (3:13)
  • Anthony Njokuani def. Muhsin Corbbrey by TKO (strikes) Rd 2 (1:42)
  • Damacio Page def. Will Campuzano by submission (rear-naked choke) Rd 1 (1:02)
  • Raphael Assuncao def. Yves Jabouin by split decision (30-27, 27-30, 29-28)
  • Dave Jansen def. Rich Crunkilton by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Benson Henderson def. Donald Cerone by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)

Play-by-Play:

Damacio Page vs. Will Campuzano

Round 1 – Page looks focused and serious. “The Angel of Death” is ready to strike. Page comes out swinging haymakers, Campuzano swings back and connects, Page shoots, gets the takedown. Campuzano goes for a triangle but Page is out, Page takes Campuzano’s back and has his hooks in, that’s it my friends, rear-naked choke and it’s over just like that. The first fifteen seconds were insane with both fighters taking big shots. OFFICIAL RESULT: Damacio Page def. Will Campuzano by submission (rear-naked choke) Round 1 (1:02).

Raphael Assuncao vs. Yves Jabouin

Round 1 – Featherweights. Assuncao swings and misses, Jabouin kicks and misses. Jabouin lands a punch as Assuncao lands a leg kick. Jabouin trains with GSP, Louiseau, and the gang. They exchange punches. Jabouin catches Assuncao’s kick and takes him down, Jabouin in Assuncao’s guard but stands up. Jabouin throws a back kick and a spinning backfist. Assuncao shoots, but Jabouin explodes and puts him on his back and ends up in his guard. These guys mean business. Striaght left hand by Jabouin. Assuncao catches a kick and lands a shot. Both guys are landing big shots and taking big shots. Vicious intentions on these strikes. Clinched up with Jabouin’s back to the cage. Almost too close to call but I’ll give it to Jabouin 10-9.

Round 2 – Both guys land a punch. Jabouin moving side to side as Assuncao stalks, lands a big leg kick. Jabouin lands a left to the chin. Then a leg kick, leg kick twice by Assuncao. Left right by Assuncao. Assuncao lands a nice leg kick to the back leg that drops Jabouin but he gets right up. The canvas is slippery. Spinning back kick from Jabouin knocks Assuncao against the cage, does it again. Left hand connects to the chin by Assuncao, then he shoots, grabs a single leg but Jabouin defends well, until Assuncao locks up a guillotine. Jabouin rolls out of it, great escape. Wow! Give that round to Assuncao 10-9.

Round 3 – Both guys are very explosive. Leg kick by Assuncao, then another one to his back leg as Jabouin comes in swinging – the leg kick drops Jabouin on his ass. But he gets right up again. Assuncao trying for the takedown, takes Jabouin’s back as Jabouin tries to defend. They are on the ground next to the cage, Assuncao gets his hooks in, bad position for Jabouin. Jabouin pushes off the cage and tries to escape but Assuncao has complete control. Not for long though, as they go back to their feet. Spinning back kick hard shot to Assuncao’s body. Entertaining fight for sure. Leg kick by Assuncao. Spinning back fist connects perfectly by Jabouin and Assuncao just eats it and shrugs his shoulders. Assuncao goes for a spinning backfist himself. Assuncao gets Jabouin and is trying to takes his back as the bell sounds. Damn close round again. But have to give it to Assuncao 10-9 and the fight to Assuncao 29-28. OFFICIAL RESULT: Raphael Assuncao defeats Yves Jabouin by split decision (30-27, 27-30, 29-28).

Rich Crunkilton vs. Dave Jansen

Crunkilton with a record of 16-2 has only lost two fights; one to Rob McCullough, and the other to Hermes Franca. Jansen at 12-0 has not yet tasted defeat but his competition level has not been quite as high.

Round 1 – Leg kick by Rich. Rich shoots for a leg but gets stuffed. Jansen lands a nice left. They clinch, Jansen goes for a trip, doesn’t get it, but Rich gets a trip takedown, however, Jansen is right back up. It’s momentary as Rich puts him back down. Jansen reverses, takes Rich’s back as he turtles. Rich explodes to his feet momentarily as Jansen puts him right back down and gets side control where he starts landing some elbows. Jansen moves and ends up in Rich’s half guard. Crunkilton looks for a knee bar, then a heel hook. Jansen gets back to side control. Crunkilton goes for an anaconda choke, Jansen attempts a north/south, ends back in Crunkilton’s guard where he rains down a few punches. Crunkilton gets to his feet, lands a nice front kick twice.. Crunkilton lands a punch that rocks Jansen, both guys start firing away with punches until the bell sounds. Damn close round but I give it to Crunkilton 10-9.

Round 2 – Both guys throwing a lot of shots but nothing significant lands. Jansen gets the takedown and ends up in the butterfly guard. Crunkilton gets to his feet. Jansen lands a big knee to his groin, Jansen goes ahead and takes him down, but the ref pulls Jansen off and calls time out. Leg kick by Rich. Big right hand pops Jansen. Jansen lands a nice left to the chin. Damn canvas is still slippery. Jansen lands a couple of nice shots. Jansen’s mouthpiece falls out. Crunkilton sits there and lets Jansen take his back. Crunkilton gets to his feet, throws a couple of punches as Jansen bull rushes him for the takedown. Jansen from the guard lands some shots. Ref stands them up. Body kick by Rich followed by a couple of punches. Jansen gets another takedown. Ref warns them for action and Frank Mir can’t believe he just heard that. Give Jansen this round 10-9.

Round 3 – Jansen comes in with his chin stuck up in the air. Crunkilton lands some nice punches, Jansen fires back lands a left to the chin. Jansen gets a takedown but Rich gets up. Crunkilton lands a nice left. Jansen shoots, Crunkilton locks on a D’arce choke. It ollks tight but… nope Jansen is back to his feet. Stiff left by Jansen. Jansen shoots, Crunkilton stuffs it and lands some more punches. Jansen shoots, gets the takedown, gets side control then mount. Rich gets half guard. Whoa.. the ref just stood them up. LOL WTF??? OMG.. Janswn lands some punches. He shoots, gets another takedown. Starts landing elbows from side control. Jansen going for a kimura but rich escapes. Jansen with more elbows, Rich gets full guard. Both these guys have to be tired. Rich explodes and turtles. Bell sounds. OMG this ref SUCKS. I give that round to Jansen 10-9 and the fight to Jansen 29-28. OFFICIAL RESULT: Dave Jansen defeats Rich Crunkilton by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28).

(LW Interim Title) Donald Cerrone vs. Benson Henderson

Round 1 – Cerrone throws a high kick and slips to the ground. Henderson rushes in and Cerrone locks in a guillotine. Cerrone takes him to the ground and locks it in very deep, Henderson starts to escape and Cowboy locks in a triangle. Henderson is throwing punches trying to loosen it up. He escapes and Henderson lands a head kick. Great start to the fight. They square off. Leg kick by Henderson. That’s going to make Ben think  twice about shooting, maybe not, as he shoots, grabs a double leg and puts Cowboy on his back. Henderson postures up and is throwing down punches. Cerrone always looking for submissions. Big right hand by Henderson connects from the standing position. Cerrone back flips off his back to try and stand up but Henderson stays on him. Henderson back in Cerrone’s guard standing throwing down shots. Great round but have to give it to Cerrone 10-9.

Round 2 – Very exciting first round. Ben throws a high kick that misses. I have no idea how Henderson survived those submission attempts. Henderson shoots and gets the takedown, Cerrone pushes him off, Henderson shoots in, Cerrone takes his back. Henderson reverses and is back in Cerrone’s full guard. Cerrone lands some big shots from the bottom that seem to rock Henderson. Cowboy grabs Henderson’s arm and almost gets an armbar but Henderson escapes and is back in Cerrone’s guard. He lands a huge elbow on Cowboy. Henderson stands uup in Cowboy’s guard and lands some big shots, he missed once and punched the mat very hard. Henderson raining down shots from the standing position. Cerrone with the up kick. Cerrone grabs a leg but lets it go after eating a shot. Ben is hitting him in the body and the head from standing position. Cerrone kicks out, gives up his back briefly, then back to same position. Henderson wins that round 10-9.

Round 3 – Both of these guys want this, you can tell. Cerrone comes in swinging. Henderson lands a leg kick. Henderson shoots, gets the takedown. Cerrone explodes out and ends up on his back in the same way they ended the second round.  Cowboy is so slick and can lock up a submission in a split second. Henderson takes his back here though and is controlling him for the moment. Cerrone turns over to his back, lands an up kick. Henderson postures up, Cerrone kicks out and is back to his feet. Cowboy wants the knock out. Leg kick by Cowboy. Leg kick again by Cowboy. Henderson keeping his distance. Cerrone comes in swinging, misses. Henderson shoots, grabs the double and puts Cowboy down again, but he pops up. Henderson locks his body and wants to put him back down. Scoops him up and puts him down, but once again Cerrone is back up almost immediately. 30 seconds left in the round. Henderson shoots, grabs a single. Gets the takedown as the bell sounds. Got to give that round to Henderson 10-9.

Round 4 – Both fighters are in great shape and neither is breathing heavy which is AMAZING considering the pace they’ve been keeping. Cerrone fires a right then a leg kick. Cerrone shoots on Henderson. Henderson stuffs it and shoots Cerrone locks in an anaconda choke, it looks so tight but Henderson is somehow surviving. He gives the thumbs up and Frank Mir can’t figure it out. Henderson is back up to his feet. Body kick by Henderson. Henderson shoots, Cerrone backs up. Cerrone swings, misses, Henderson shoots, grabs a leg but Cowboy gets out. They square off again. Leg kick by Cerrone. Body punch by Cerrone. Henderson shoots, Cerrone stops him and lands an uppercut, then a big knee to the body. Henderson has the double but can’t get it and Cerrone escapes. Body shot by Cowboy. One minute left in the round. Henderson telegraphs a shot and Cerrone stuffs it. Henderson on his back and Cowboy stands up, they both stand. Ten seconds. Leg kick by Cerrone drops Henderson as the bell sounds. Nice ending for Cerrone and he won the round 10-9.

Round 5 – I have the fight even going into this round. Whoever wins this round could win it.  Cerrone looks pumped and is talking. Henderson shoots, grabs the double, they’re against the fence. Cerrone powers out and escapes. Cerrone lands a big left hand that rocks Henderson. Henderson takes him down but Cowboy is up on his feet and Henderson is on his back. Cowboy is definitely the fresher fighter at this point. Cowboy tells him to just get up. Body shot lands by Henderson then he slips to his back somehow. Cerrone pounces but Henderson takes control until Cerrone grabs his arm and locks on an omoplata. Cerrone is twisting his arm in a pretzel but he gives a thumbs up and escapes. Both are back on their feet now. Less than forty seconds to go. Henderson gets a takedown and eats a big upkick. Cerrone takes Henderson s arm and is twisting it into a mess as the bell sounds. The ref helps up Cerrone and tells him “helluva fight.” And he’s right it was an amazing fight. Dare I say it again, fight of the year so far maybe?  Seems like there’s been quite a few potential fight of the years lately. I give that round to Cerrone 10-9 and the fight to Cerrone 48-47. OFFICIAL RESULT:  Benson Henderson defeats Donald Cerrone by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47). – Whoah – this is a real surprise. Henderson says, “Jamie Varner, we got a date!” Varner comes up to the mic and everyone boos. Varner says, “Donald, I don’t like you but you’re one of the toughest fighters I’ve ever seen fight.”

Personally I thought Cerrone won it by one round, however, it was unanimous by the judges – and it was in Texas so I guess… whatever…

3 thoughts on “WEC 43 play-by-play commentary and results”
  1. Well, my boy Dave Jansen pulled it off, and showed his superior wrestling. I admit he can use to learn a little more in the stand up dept. but overall, he did good and won. Congrats to Jansen…

  2. Jeff, Dave Jansen is quality. He put on a wrestling clinic. He may have gotten a stoppage if Shorley let the damn fight stay on the ground for more than 10 seconds.

  3. Agreed. Dave is a great guy, a good fighter, and I’m proud to call him a friend of mine. The ref in that match was something else entirely, somebody should send that guy to a grappling class or three.

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