Thoughts on World Extreme Cagefighting

The WEC is an upstart promotion to most of us because they've only gained notoriety since being bought by Zuffa, who owns the UFC as well, in 1996. The WEC has actually been around since 2001, broadcasting their fights on HDNet. These days, you can catch monthly WEC events on Versus.

The WEC's main selling point is their lighter weight classes. They've abandoned their super-heavyweight and heavyweight classes, and have concentrated on quicker, more explosive fighters. Bantamweight and featherweight divisions are highlighted in the WEC. Since the UFC does not have a bantamweight or featherweight division, the WEC has some of the best fighters in the world at those weight classes.

Although there is a bit of talent sharing between the UFC and WEC (Joe Riggs, Jens Pulver, Leonard Garcia, Jesse Forbes and Jamie Varner to name a few), Zuffa makes it very clear that the two organizations are separate entities. Many look at WEC as a "feeder organization" for the UFC, which isn't the case at all. A major example of this is the presence of Paulo Filho, the current WEC middleweight champion. If WEC was indeed a feeder organization, a top 5 middleweight like Filho would certainly be in the UFC.

There are also many drawing stars in the WEC. Urijah Faber, the current featherweight champion, is the face of the WEC. In addition, Carlos Condit, Rob McCullough, Brian Stann and the aforementioned Jens Pulver are all popular and respected mixed martial artists.

Many of the WEC's current events are held in Nevada, but they are looking to branch out as they keep growing and expanding. With such a great roster of young, talented fighters, the WEC's potential is limitless.