WEC 53 – Dominick Cruz humbles Scott Jorgensen to become the first ever UFC bantamweight champion
Dominick Cruz tonight made history by defeating number one contender, Scott Jorgensen inside the cage, becoming the last man to be crowned WEC bantamweight champion, while becoming the first man to ever hold the UFC version of the title.
Cruz peppers Jorgensen with a series of jabs to begin the fight. Jorgensen goes for a takedown but is clipped by a knee from the champion. Jorgensen continues to press for the takedown and gets it but Cruz is soon up. Cruz moves out the way of an onrushing Jorgensen and lands a nice combo. Jorgensen with a clinch up against the fence in the final minute before Jorgensen secures a takedown with just seconds left in the round. MMABay scores the round 10-9 Cruz.
Both men land leg kicks to open the second round as Cruz continues to rock the head back of Jorgensen with his quick right hands. Cruz shoots in an secures the takedown and goes to work from the guard of the challenger. Punches to the head and body land before Jorgensen manages to get back to his feet. Jorgensen with a nice head kick toward the end of the round but it has little effect. MMABay scores the round 10-9 Cruz.
Cruz lands cleanly with the right hand again to open the third before dropping Jorgensen with one to the jaw. Jorgensen gets back up and catches Cruz with a head kick. Cruz shakes it off and continues to go to work with superior movement winning the day thus far. Cruz with a nice takedown but Jorgensen lands a nice sweep, ending up in top position. The challenger fails to capitalise and the round ends. MMABay scores the round 10-9 Cruz.
Cruz with more right hands to begin the fourth before scoring with a takedown and putting Jorgensen up against the fence. He goes to work with a series of right hands before both men return to their feet. A nice body kick from Cruz is followed by another takedown to end the round in his favour. MMABay scores the round 10-9 Cruz.
Cruz starts putting his punches and kicks together to open the final frame, landing on the helpless Jorgensen at will. Jorgensen finally secures a body lock and uses it to take the champion down but he soon pops back up. Cruz reverses the situation and gets a takedown of his own moments later but this time he keeps him there. Jorgensen returns to his feet for the final twenty seconds but Cruz uses his right hand to keep him at bay. MMABay scores the round 10-9 Cruz. The judges scored the bout 50-45, 50-45, 50-45 in favour of Cruz.
By Michael Pepper. (Follow me on Twitter)
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