WEC 53 Preview Part One: Dominick Cruz vs. Scott Jorgensen

Previews, Top Story

As far as co-main events go you could really not ask for anything more than what we are being treated to at World Extreme Cagefighting’s final show WEC 53 this Thursday live on Versus. Dominick Cruz (16-1: 6 KOs, 1 SUB) will be making his second and final defense of the WEC Bantamweight title against Scott Jorgensen (11-3: 1 KO, 4 SUBs) with the winner only being declared the inaugural UFC Bantamweight champ. No pressure there.

Both men are bringing oversized win streaks into the cage with them, 5 for Jorgensen and 7 for Cruz. Overall Cruz certainly holds the superior record and his lone loss came, interestingly enough, to Urijah Faber back when the California Kid held the WEC Featherweight title. Interesting especially because one would assume that from a business perspective placing Faber as the next in line to challenge for the title would make a whole heck of a lot of sense. So if Cruz is able to pull it off this week he might be lining himself up for a shot at redemption.

Cruz’s main strength going in will be his unpredictability. He eludes danger like no other and is one of the slipperiest guys working today. Also, he’s built up a reputation as being one of the toughest to prepare for due to his unorthodoxed style and the fact that he approaches each fight differently. Jorgensen will find success if he is able to wrestle Cruz to the mat or find an opening in his stand up defense and unload on him, and considering his high octane approach to mixed martial arts I would say that he has a better shot than most at pulling it off. He also has a world class guillotine at his disposal. Even though he has only ridden that hold to victory twice Cruz would be well advised to prepare for it and to be constantly aware of where he is sticking his head on his takedown attempts.

Another thing to keep your eye on during the fight are the hands of Dominick Cruz. He has publicly stated that after the fight, whatever the outcome, he will be requiring surgery on one of his hands and that he will be on the disabled list for four to six months. He did not specify which hand but one would assume that it was his right hand that he injured in his fight with Brian Bowles. My feeling is that if he is willing to speak to the press about it then it is a non-issue in the minds of Cruz and his camp. However, any chance that he is underestimating the injury and that he negatively affects his striking against Jorgensen? Or that Jorgensen takes the bait and either deliberately targets the hand or fails to circle away from it in a disciplined manner?

As for a prediction I will say that I like Jorgensen a lot but I’m totally in love with Cruz. He lacks the explosiveness of Jose Aldo but he is equally as dominant and easily a top 10 pound for pound guy. I would love nothing more than to see these guys bring the house down with a five round, five star instant classic but if I had to put my hard earned money on it I would say that I see Cruz choking out Jorgensen before the opening round is finished.

Pick: Cruz via 1st round Submission