World Extreme Cagefighting Preview

Urijah Faber and Jeff Curran will fight for the WEC featherweight belt. (MMAweekly.com Photo)

There's a cruel trend among fight fans to gravitate toward heavyweights. The idea is that since larger fighters hit harder, a heavyweight match is more likely to end with one of the fighters sprawled out unconscious on the canvas with his eyes rolled back in his head. More power equals more KOs, equals more excitement, equals more interest from the fans. That at least is the theory. It's also why heavyweight fighters are generally paid more than lightweights.

While that "bigger they are, harder they fall" idea might hold up in boxing, mixed martial arts is a different game. With smaller gloves, punches pack more power. And with kicks, knees and slams, fighters of all sizes have more weapons to choose from. Some of the smallest fighters in MMA have some of the highest KO percentages, whether it's from knocking the life out of someone on the feet or beating them senseless on the ground.

With this spirit in mind, World Extreme Cagefighting has picked up the slack for the 145-pound fighters, who have (until now) been competing in the 155-pound class against opponents who cut from 170 pounds. Fighters like Urijah Faber (19-1-0), Jeff Curran (28-8-1) and Jens Pulver (21-8-1), who could make 155 pounds with a belly full of steak and a pocket full of loose nickels, are finally getting the chance to shine at their natural weight of 145 pounds.

On Wednesday, Dec. 12 in Las Vegas, Nev., Faber and Curran collide for the WEC featherweight belt. Jens Pulver makes his 145-pound debut against newfound bitter rival Cub Swanson (11-1-0). And if that isn't enough, Team Quest wrestler Chael Sonnen (19-8-1) fights undefeated Brazilian powerhouse Paulo Filho (15-0-0) for the WEC middleweight belt.

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All lines subject to change.