Who had better lightweights WEC or UFC before the merger?

caleb_forrest_g · 12-22-2012, 11:21 AM

I seen that Anthony Pettis said WEC had better lightweights. And now lookin back i gotta agree. Benson was in WEC and came to the UFC and started dominating UFC guys. Pettis is doing the same thing, Cerrone as well. Just thought i would see what you guys thought about it.

Im talking about the time frame of the merger. Not when BJ Penn was dominating in sight lol.

UFC or WEC

greathamza · 12-22-2012, 11:34 AM

WECs focus was the smaller guys like aldo, pettis, cruz, faber and so on and living of that.
So yes they had the better guys at LW and down thanks to that

Rob_Floyd · 12-22-2012, 12:03 PM

You have to give it to the UFC for depth, but the top WEC guys have proven to be superior/on par with the top UFC guys.

thewinfella · 12-22-2012, 01:06 PM

The thing is ...............

The WEC had prospects, not established top fighters, Pettis, Cerrone and Henderson in there WEC days were all "prospects", lets not forget Jamie Varner was the champion, and he beat Rob McCulloch for that title

My answer to your question is unequivocally the UFC, Penn, Sherk, Florian with an underbelly of Maynard, Guida, Edgar ............ and the list goes on, Henderson, Cerrone and Pettis have developed because they are now in mainstream top competition, if any of them 3 (at that time) would have fought any of the top 8 in the UFC they would of had a tough night!

thewinfella · 12-22-2012, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob_Floyd

You have to give it to the UFC for depth, but the top WEC guys have proven to be superior/on par with the top UFC guys.

In time they have yes, at the time no!

BobDigi5060 · 12-22-2012, 02:25 PM

The WEC produced exciting fights, but all of those fighters are now better and in The UFC

Some are FWs, etc.

Rob_Floyd · 12-22-2012, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thewinfella

In time they have yes, at the time no!

Well, I think both Bendo and Pettis, at the time of their fight, would have at least been competitive against any UFC LW.

thewinfella · 12-22-2012, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob_Floyd

Well, I think both Bendo and Pettis, at the time of their fight, would have at least been competitive against any UFC LW.

Competitive or better?

achillesthegreat · 12-22-2012, 03:17 PM

Real fans know that Strikeforce could rival the UFC for HW and fighters in general but lacking the same depth. Likewise, real fans knew that the WEC had a number of tasty fighters that could easily compete in the UFC - Aldo, Henderson, Pettis, Cerone etc

Who is better is a difficult question. Henderson is the champ and Pettis/Cerrone will determine the next contender. On the flipside I think Henderson lost his last fight to Edgar and Diaz beat the fuck out of Cerrone while Guida bum fucked Pettis.

Our only question should always be who is the champion by way of beating the best fighters out there. At present that is Benson Henderson.

gigogreco · 12-22-2012, 03:17 PM

impossible to say, as styles makes fights.

thewinfella · 12-22-2012, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by achillesthegreat

Real fans know that Strikeforce could rival the UFC for HW and fighters in general but lacking the same depth. Likewise, real fans knew that the WEC had a number of tasty fighters that could easily compete in the UFC - Aldo, Henderson, Pettis, Cerone etc

Who is better is a difficult question. Henderson is the champ and Pettis/Cerrone will determine the next contender. On the flipside I think Henderson lost his last fight to Edgar and Diaz beat the fuck out of Cerrone while Guida bum fucked Pettis.

Our only question should always be who is the champion by way of beating the best fighters out there. At present that is Benson Henderson.

Really?

One or two good fighters per division and that can somehow rival a whole division of established champions, former champions, former title contenders, prospects and gatekeepers?

I really don't see how

achillesthegreat · 12-22-2012, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thewinfella

Really?

One or two good fighters per division and that can somehow rival a whole division of established champions, former champions, former title contenders, prospects and gatekeepers?

I really don't see how

I said the HW division and then fighters in general. The HW division had Overeem, Werdum, Cormier, Barnett, Silva etc In general I meant Shields, Diaz, Melendez etc

12-22-2012, 11:21 AM	#1
caleb_forrest_g Contender ESB Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: nashville tennessee Posts: 676 vCash: 500	Who had better lightweights WEC or UFC before the merger? I seen that Anthony Pettis said WEC had better lightweights. And now lookin back i gotta agree. Benson was in WEC and came to the UFC and started dominating UFC guys. Pettis is doing the same thing, Cerrone as well. Just thought i would see what you guys thought about it. Im talking about the time frame of the merger. Not when BJ Penn was dominating in sight lol. UFC or WEC
Top

12-22-2012, 11:34 AM	#2
greathamza Champion East Side Guru Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: sweden Posts: 6,301 vCash: 75	Re: Who had better lightweights WEC or UFC before the merger? WECs focus was the smaller guys like aldo, pettis, cruz, faber and so on and living of that. So yes they had the better guys at LW and down thanks to that
Top

12-22-2012, 12:03 PM	#3
Rob_Floyd Belt holder ESB Addict Join Date: May 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 4,989 vCash: 847	Re: Who had better lightweights WEC or UFC before the merger? You have to give it to the UFC for depth, but the top WEC guys have proven to be superior/on par with the top UFC guys.
Top

12-22-2012, 01:06 PM	#4
thewinfella The Golden Boy East Side Guru Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: UK Posts: 7,224 vCash: 75	Re: Who had better lightweights WEC or UFC before the merger? The thing is ............... The WEC had prospects, not established top fighters, Pettis, Cerrone and Henderson in there WEC days were all "prospects", lets not forget Jamie Varner was the champion, and he beat Rob McCulloch for that title My answer to your question is unequivocally the UFC, Penn, Sherk, Florian with an underbelly of Maynard, Guida, Edgar ............ and the list goes on, Henderson, Cerrone and Pettis have developed because they are now in mainstream top competition, if any of them 3 (at that time) would have fought any of the top 8 in the UFC they would of had a tough night!
Top

12-22-2012, 02:25 PM	#6
BobDigi5060 East Side MMA East Side Guru Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: TX Posts: 8,958 vCash: 553	Re: Who had better lightweights WEC or UFC before the merger? The WEC produced exciting fights, but all of those fighters are now better and in The UFC Some are FWs, etc.
Top

12-22-2012, 03:17 PM	#9
achillesthegreat FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BRAVE East Side VIP Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 18,206 vCash: 1000	Re: Who had better lightweights WEC or UFC before the merger? Real fans know that Strikeforce could rival the UFC for HW and fighters in general but lacking the same depth. Likewise, real fans knew that the WEC had a number of tasty fighters that could easily compete in the UFC - Aldo, Henderson, Pettis, Cerone etc Who is better is a difficult question. Henderson is the champ and Pettis/Cerrone will determine the next contender. On the flipside I think Henderson lost his last fight to Edgar and Diaz beat the fuck out of Cerrone while Guida bum fucked Pettis. Our only question should always be who is the champion by way of beating the best fighters out there. At present that is Benson Henderson.
Top

12-22-2012, 03:17 PM	#10
gigogreco Contender ESB Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 827 vCash: 1000	Re: Who had better lightweights WEC or UFC before the merger? impossible to say, as styles makes fights.
Top