Varner, Shalorus Draw In WEC 49 Main Event

Josh Grispi vs. L.C. Davis

Grispi has made quite the name for himself with his early finishes throughout his career. So Davis surviving the first two minutes was a victory in itself. Neither fighter really took control of the fight early the way Horodecki did in the first fight. However, that immediately changed when L.C. Davis looked for a takedown. Davis slammed Grispi to the mat, but not before the young prospect could lock on a deep guillotine. And no one breaks free from a Grispi guillotine choke. Davis goes to sleep and Grispi sets himself up for another top featherweight opponent. This kid is not a long way off from a title shot against top pound for pound fighter Jose Aldo. Grispi def. Davis via technical submission (guillotine choke) at 2:33 of Round 1.

Mark Hominick vs. Yves Jabouin

The two striking-prone featherweights got off to a magnificent pace, especially Jabouin. He continuously threw combinations for the first two minutes of the round. He was literally throwing non-stop. Hominick landed a fair amount of shots, but Jabouin simply looked more dominant due to the quantity of strikes. The round ended with both fighters staying busy, but Jabouin was clearly the more active striker.

The second round started with Jabouin attempting to take on an active role. He continued to remain the more active fighter, but Hominick started to land the better combinations. A vicious shot to the liver sent Jabouin into survival mode, but he managed to work his way back to the feet and landed a great shot that sent Hominick to the floor. Jabouin looked for the finish, but his ground and pound was stifled. Hominick reversed Jabouin into the full mount and pounded him out until the referee stepped in to stop the fight. Great back-and-forth effort by both fighters in what will almost surely earn the Fight of the Night honors. Hominick def. Jabouin via technical knockout at 3:21 of Round 2.

Jamie Varner vs. Kamal Shalorus

Early on, it seemed that both of the lightweight contenders were content to stand and bang. Varner worked the better combinations in the striking game, but Shalorus landed a plethora of damaging leg kicks. Varner successfully dipped in and out of Shalorus’ range and caught him with about two minutes left in the first. Shalorus survived the pressure from Varner and raised in hands in the center, letting out a battle cry. No, seriously, a battle cry. Varner looked concerned with his failure to get the stoppage, and Shalorus continued forward, throwing his heavy hands towards the head of the former champion. The two exchanged in the closing of the round with Shalorus landing some big shots. Great first round of the main event.

The second round opened just as everyone in the Rexall Place hoped it would, with both men willing to trade with one another. Shalorus once again took the center of the cage, working his leg kicks tirelessly. Unfortunately, an inside leg kick sent Varner to the floor in pain. However, it was an apparent groin shot, which caused the referee to deduct a point from Shalorus. The round wound down with Varner circling away from his opponent, as Shalorus was the complete aggressor following the point deduction.

The final round began with another shot to Varner’s groin. Varner once again fell to the ground in pain, but Shalorus did not lose a second point. Varner elected to continue and Shalorus continued his stalking ways. Finally, with about three minutes remaining, Shalorus scores a takedown to earn some points towards a victory. Varner remained active off of his back, but could not get Shalorus off of him. But with 40 seconds remaining, Varner finally was able to push Shalorus off of him and the two stood for the final moments of the round without much significant action. Varner felt he earned the victory, raising his hands in confidence. However, the judges’ rendered a rather strange, unsatisfying decision that is sure to draw plenty of criticism.  Fight ends in a draw (29-27, 27-29, 28-28).