Antonio Banuelos Talks Tats and Training with BJ
August 30th, 2010
Frank Curreri, WEC - If you have followed the career of Antonio Banuelos, current teammate and former roommate of Chuck Liddell, then you may have noticed the 5'3 fighter's ongoing love affair with body ink. The many symbols and words that adorn the bantamweight's body are the result of a unique tradition he began with his MMA debut nine years ago: After every fight, win or lose, Banuelos adds another tattoo.
Frank Curreri, WEC - The gap between Dominick Cruz and Joseph Benavidez has narrowed considerably, but their rematch Wednesday night produced the same result: Cruz's hand was raised following a split decision triumph that allowed him to keep his WEC bantamweight title. 
Frank Curreri, WEC - Ill will can add spice to a fight, but for the most part, pleasantries have been exchanged leading up to tonight's WEC bantamweight title bout between Dominick Cruz and Joseph Benavidez. Unlike his mentor Urijah Faber, No. 1 challenger Benavidez does not hold a grudge against the 135-pound kingpin. 
Below are the official weigh-in results for Wednesday's WEC event, which features the WEC bantamweight title bout between Dominick Cruz and Joseph Benavidez, as well as the lightweight clash between Shane Roller and Anthony Pettis, and the featherweight bout between Chad Mendes and Cub Swanson. This card will air live on Versus (9pm ET / 6pm PT) from The Pearl at The Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada. 
Frank Curreri, WEC - You can thank Cub Swanson for the jaw-dropping Chan Sung Jung vs. Leonard Garcia classic. Sort of. 
Frank Curreri, WEC - A few months back Scott Jorgensen and Joseph Benavidez, two buddies who compete in the same division, made a pact:
"We knew we were neck-and-neck for the next title shot and we said, "It doesn't matter who gets it. One of us will fight Dominick (Cruz) and then we'll fight each other for the belt.'" 
Frank Curreri, WEC - 100 or more pro fights is what Bart Palaszewski is shooting for. As of today, "Bartimus" is almost halfway to the century mark. Opponent #47 is coming up on Wednesday in the form of Zack Micklewright, a scrappy U.S. Marine who trains under Pat Miletich in Iowa and who can't believe his luck. 
Frank Curreri, WEC - Mackens Semerzier has already submitted one Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt in the WEC. But can "Mack Da Menace" repeat the feat against a cocksure fighter who regards himself as the 145-pound division's "best grappler in the world?" 
Frank Curreri, WEC - You might have trouble pronouncing his name, but odds are high that you will remember Maciej Jewtuszko after watching him perform inside of a cage. Poland's top lightweight prospect boasts an aggressive, crowd-pleasing style and a sterling 7-0 pro record - and he's yet to allow one of his bouts to be decided by the judges. 
Frank Curreri, WEC - Dustin Poirier's first-ever trip to Las Vegas a few months back filled him with great optimism. And there was good reason for the Louisianan's high hopes: The wide-eyed 21-year-old had auditioned for The Ultimate Fighter season 12 reality show in late April; his performance earned him a follow-up audition so producers could further size him up.