SB Nation Arizona - WEC 53: Dominick Cruz, Scott Jorgensen Fight To Be First UFC Bantamweight Championhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46593/arizona-fave.png2010-12-15T12:32:34-07:00http://arizona.sbnation.com/rss/stream/16409452010-12-15T12:32:34-07:002010-12-15T12:32:34-07:00WEC 53: Cerrone Still At War With Varner, “I Plan On Whipping His Ass Every Chance I Get”
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<p>One can assume that <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/122525/donald-cerrone">Donald Cerrone</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/122547/jamie-varner">Jamie Varner</a> won't be having each other over for Christmas this year. To say the two have a long, sordid past is somewhat of an understatement.</p>
<p>Generally, in the fight game, the trash-talking stops once two men get in the cage and beat the animosity out of each other. Yet, despite having fought just a few months ago -- their second fight in two years -- it doesn't seem like these two are nearing any sort of mutual understanding.</p>
<p>"I would love that fight -- again, and again, and in the parking lot, and wherever I can get it." Cerrone bluntly states. "Hopefully he wins his next fight and I can see him in the UFC. I plan on whipping his ass every chance I get. I don't ever plan on letting him dictate, not one round, not one second [if we] ever fight ever again."</p>
<p>There has certainly been no love lost in this relationship. In September, the two squared-off in Colorado at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/59403/wec-51-aldo-vs-gamburyan">WEC 51</a>. Leading up to the match, an astounding amount of venom was on display for the public. Expletive-filled grenades were consistently lobbed across the boundaries from both sides. All of the hype led to one of the most emotion-fueled fights that MMA has seen in some time. Of course, the battle wound up winning Fight of the Night honors.</p>
<p>"Cowboy" certainly feels as though that particular hurdle has been cleared, but he wants it to be clear that he still hasn't changed his opinion on the former lightweight champion.</p>
<p>"I used to worry about him, all my other fights with Ben and everything were just about getting through the next guy to get to Jamie Varner, and now I feel like I've overcome that. I finally got what I asked for and got out there and did everything I said I was going to do." a calmed Cerrone says, before flaring up. "So I feel kind of like the drama of that part is over, but the beef -- is he, as a person, still a b---- -- yes he is."</p>
<p>To be frank, Donald is always clear with his intentions. He is a master of the mental acrobatics of this back-and-forth game. When asked how it feels to be fighting on the main card in Jamie's hometown, while his rival is resigned to the undercard, a grin spreads across the cowboy's face.</p>
<p>"That's just another b---- slap in his face, isn't it? How do you like them apples Jamie Varner? I'm fighting in your hometown, on the main card, and you got to be on the undercard." Cerrone says, clearly relishing the thought. "That feels good, definitely. But like I said, I wish I was fighting him <i>here</i>. But I still got to do it [last time], so it feels good."</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/2010/12/15/1878283/wec-53-cerrone-still-at-war-with-varner-i-plan-on-whipping-his-assShaun Al-Shatti2010-12-14T19:37:22-07:002010-12-14T19:37:22-07:00WEC 53: Cruz Brushes Aside Jorgenson's Verbal Jabs
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<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/127865/dominick-cruz">Dominick Cruz</a> -- the king of the Bantamweight division -- has come a long way. His self-belief always unshakable, the young champion finally seems ready to take his place among the greats of the sport. Fresh off a title defense against the celebrated <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/125034/joseph-benavidez">Joseph Benavidez</a>, Cruz bristles at the possibility of his next high-motor opponent wearing him out.</p>
<p>"Who matches his pace? Dominick Cruz matches his pace. And I'm going to keep doing that. <i>Nobody</i> is ever going to outpace me. <i>Nobody</i> is ever going to get me tired; because that's the one thing I can control -- in 5 rounds, 3 rounds, or any fight all together. I can control my conditioning and it's always going to be better than everybody I fight."</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/127866/scott-jorgensen">Scott Jorgensen</a>, on the other hand, would beg to differ. The always entertaining Jorgensen has become a fan favorite for his active, hardworking style. His relentless, push-the-pace nature has garnered him two Fight of the Night awards and a feared reputation.</p>
<p>However, it wasn't always easy. After finally reaching the WEC in 2008, "Young Guns" promptly lost his first fight to Damacio Page. It lent the public a rare glimpse of weakness for the resilient Boise native. Jorgensen rallied though, winning seven of his next eight contests, over a two year span, to earn the title shot. Coming into the match, he is riding high on a five fight win streak.</p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 12px;">Scott Jorgensen speaks to the media during Tuesday's open workout session. <br></span></p>
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<p>"I think I earned my spot." Jorgensen says. "I think my earlier career in the WEC kind of shaped why it took so long. I don't blame them, but I am thankful for what I went through. I learned a lot along the way. I've gotten a lot better. Had I fought for the title two fights ago, I wouldn't be where I'm at today, and right now I feel unstoppable."</p>
<p>Regardless, the Twisted Genetiks product finds himself listed as the underdog coming into Thursday night. Vegas currently posts the challenger as a 2-to-1 favorite to loss the fight. However, Scott understands this is only the nature of the beast, and he hopes his opponent finds solace in the numbers.</p>
<p>"I'm very calm. I've faced bigger things in my life. I've faced some of the baddest men in the world. Facing another number one guy is just another day in the office for me" Jorgensen says. "It's all opinion, man. It's just words. It's no different that being ranked. It's all opinion. Until you beat everybody, you're not number one."</p>
<p>When asked about his opponent's game, Jorgensen minces no words.</p>
<p>"I see a lot of defensive movement, a lot of point striking, and that's about it. Everybody talks about his wrestling, but his wrestling doesn't scare me. I wrestle with the best in the world." He continues, "When I hit pads, we go over a few different things that are specific. We see really big weaknesses in his game."</p>
<p>I haven't focused too much on Dominick. I never watch tape. The only time I've ever watched tape on him is when I see him fight -- and that's usually live, and that's it. My philosophy going into this fight is to do what I want, which is what I always do, and ever since I started doing that I've ripped off five straight wins."</p>
<p>Jorgensen's musings are not new revelations. His approach to the champion has stayed consistent throughout the pre-fight process. On the other side of the cage, Cruz is well aware of the verbal barbs being tossed his way. He's heard such rumblings and remarks before regarding his unique style.</p>
<p>"I wasn't surprised. The guy always talks a lot -- Scott Jorgensen -- that's what he's known for." Cruz says. "It's all talk. When it comes down to it, I go in there, and I come to fight every single time. I think that, again, a lot of the reasons why a lot of people critique my style is because they don't understand it. Everything I do, I do it for a reason, and that's the reason why I'm coming up on top, because people can't understand it. So the only thing you can do is badmouth it, because you don't know how it works."</p>
<p>When asked if the champion believes Jorgensen's bravado is simply a method of pep-talking himself into being able to handle Cruz's rhythm -- a feat that only Featherweight legend <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/122468/urijah-faber">Urijah Faber</a> can lay claim to -- Dominick matter-of-factly remarks:</p>
<p>"I think he's absolutely talking himself into being able to handle it. What else can he do?"</p>
<p>Sweat dripping down his face, on the precipice of his greatest accomplishment, the champion grins as he finishes his thought, "I have a place [in mind] for the UFC belt."</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/2010/12/14/1877033/wec-53-cruz-brushes-aside-jorgensons-verbal-jabsShaun Al-Shatti2010-12-14T19:26:15-07:002010-12-14T19:26:15-07:00WEC 53: Dominick Cruz, Scott Jorgensen Fight To Be First UFC Bantamweight Champion
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<p>The inherent pressures that stem from a title fight are a mental battle as much as a physical one. Focus on the task at hand is difficult, but paramount to the successes required to reach the pinnacle of the sport. Still, for <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/127865/dominick-cruz" class="sbn-auto-link">Dominick Cruz</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/127866/scott-jorgensen" class="sbn-auto-link">Scott Jorgensen</a>, those pressures have been multiplied tenfold as the men prepare to venture into untraveled territory.</p>
<p>Truth be told, over the course of the next few months, the life of one of these two men of will drastically change.</p>
<p>On Thursday, incumbent title holder Dominick Cruz and challenger Scott Jorgensen will battle to for the right to forever be known as the last WEC Bantamweight Champion. After the show in Glendale, the organization will be merging with the world's most popular MMA corporation -- the UFC -- and the two rosters will be integrated.</p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 12px;">WEC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz cuts weight in preparation for his upcoming title defense.</span></p>
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<p>Drenched in the sunlight of the merger, the importance of the fight has been magnified. Not only will the victor have won the right to call themselves WEC Champion, but they will also be declared the first ever UFC Bantamweight Champion. The difference between the two titles is staggering.</p>
<p>WEC's events are typically broadcast free on Versus to about 300,000-500,000 viewers. The organization's highest paid fighter -- Uriah Faber -- pocketed $56,000 (including a win bonus that doubled his base salary, $28,000) for his last fight.</p>
<p>In contrast, the UFC's events are typically broadcast on pay-per-view to upwards of 1,000,000 viewers. The organization's highest paid fighter - <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/122494/brock-lesnar" class="sbn-auto-link">Brock Lesnar</a> - pocketed $400,000 (which did not include a win bonus that would have doubled the amount) for his last fight.</p>
<p>To be blunt, it's a entirely different world.</p>
<p>The fame, money, reverence, and recognition that comes with being a UFC champion is something that cannot be articulated; and something that is almost impossible to prepare for. Yet, this is what these men face on Thursday.</p>
<p>Cruz -- a man known for his highly unorthodox, yet highly successful style -- understands what is coming and the perspective he must to carry.</p>
<p>"To me, it's just another fight. Every single time I go out to get a belt I'm not defending anything; I'm going out to win a new belt every single fight. This fight I'm just going out to get a new belt," he says.</p>
<p>"I'm just taking out my goals one-by-one. The next one is to be the UFC champion, and to be the best 135-pounder on the planet, and move in the pound-for-pound rankings to the top-5."</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/2010/12/14/2326357/wec-53-dominick-cruz-scott-jorgensen-fight-to-be-first-ufcShaun Al-Shatti