Stann Captures WEC 205 Pound Belt

Stann and Marshall exchanging punches at WEC 33. Photo property of World Extreme Cagefighting.

Tonight, Brian “All American” Stann captured the WEC light heavyweight title finishing previous champ Doug “Rhino” Marshall early in the first round with strikes.

Both fighters set a frantic pace early as Stann and Marshall exchanged some hard low kicks before they met along the cage in a fight ending exchange. After separating from the clinch, Marshall began to fire hard bombs but Stann had the answer as he returned fire with a hard left hook which sent Marshall to the canvas. Stann quickly pounced and put a stop the bout at 1:35 of the opening stanza.

Following the bout, Stann spoke with WEC.tv and said, “I went to the center of the ring like I wanted to. I wanted to come off first and make him back up, I think I succeeded in doing that. He threw some good hard leg kicks and I worked really hard on checking them because “The Rhino” can strike, he strikes hard.”

“We clinched up there and I really wanted the right hand because I know he likes the left hook, likes to wail with it, and as I pummelled inside he circled away from the cage and got my back to it. It was a mistake on my part so he started unloading and I know he swings wild when he gets into a brawl so I wanted to stay disciplined and cover up, you know take a few shots, I’ll take anything on the head it’s not going to put me in danger,” Stann continued, “I just wanted to catch him. He had those wild strikes and I knew if he stayed in the middle with me like that that’s what was going to happen.”

One of the most impressive fighters on the card was UFC veteran Chael Sonnen. Sonnen took a bout with Bryan Baker on short notice after Paulo Filho pulled out of their scheduled title bout.

Sonnen dominated from the opening bell scoring some beautiful slams and controlling from top position. Baker had no answer for Sonnen’s wrestling and ground and pound as he dropped a unanimous decision (30-26, 30-25, 30-25) to the Team Quest fighter.

After the bout Sonnen said, “He had good height to wrestle, he was a little bit taller so that can sometimes work against you in the wrestling part of MMA so I knew that option was going to be available. I wanted to go out and work some stuff on the feet with him. I almost always have that goal but somewhere when they close that door your goals change real fast. That didn’t happen tonight but I was pleased with the performance and I was prepared had I not been able to get him down.”

In other action, Canadian, John Alessio, was disqualified in his bout with Brock Larson after he kneed Larson in the face while he was on the canvas. Larson was given time to recover but he was unable to continue.

Afterwards, Larson said, “I never, ever, dreamed of winning like that of course and it sucks because I wanted him bad and I wanted to finish him. I got the win but he got the better end of the deal I think so it’s frustrating right now because I know I’m a better fighter than him, twice the athlete than him and a better competitor. I’ve never cheated in any way or form in my lifetime and he’s a cheater, that’s what he does.”

WEC 33: Marshall vs. Stann Results

Logan Clark def. Scott Harper - TKO (Strikes)
Kenji Osawa def. Chris Manuel - Split Draw
Alex Serdyukov def. Ryan Stonitsch - Submission (Triangle Choke)
Rich Crunkilton def. Sergio Gomez - Unanimous Decision
Brock Larson def. John Alession - DQ (Knee to Downed Opponent)
Hiromitsu Miura def. Blas Avena - KO (Punches)
Steve Cantwell def. Tim McKenzie - Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
Marcus Hicks def. Ed Ratcliff - Submission (Guillotine)
Chael Sonnen def. Bryan Baker - Unanimous Decision
Brian Stann def. Doug Marshall - KO (Punches)