Manny Tapia OUT! Miguel Torres vs. Yoshiro Maeda WEC title fight slated for June 1.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mmajunkie
Injured Tapia scratched from WEC title fight with Torres
by Dann Stupp [mmajunkie] on Apr 14, 2008 at 8:21 pm in - News -
Top WEC bantamweight contender Manny Tapia (10-0-1) has been forced to pull out of his June 1 title fight with champ Miguel Torres (32-1) due to a knee injury.
The WEC made the announcement today.
According to the bulletin, Tapia suffered the injury during a recent training session.
The title fight was one of the main draws for the WEC's June 1 event, which takes place at the ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Calif. WEC featherweight champ Urijah Faber meets Jens Pulver in the night's main event.
Tapia's replacement is expected to be named shortly.
Tapia, undefeated in 11 professional bouts, made his WEC debut in December 2006 and has since posted a TKO victory over Brandon Foxworth and a split-decision win over Antonio Banuelos. The longtime King of the Cage fighter is the organization's former 135-pound champion.
Torres won the WEC's 135-pound title with a victory over Chase Beebe in February. It was his 14th straight victory.
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The WEC also today confirmed a June 1 bout between K-1 and TKO veteran Damacio Page (10-3) and longtime Pancrase veteran Yoshiro Maeda (23-4-2).
The fight will likely be part of the Versus televised main card.
Manny Tapia was forced to withdraw this evening from a highly anticipated bout against WEC Bantamweight Champion Miguel Torres (32-1) because of a knee injury sustained while training for their showdown at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, Calif., on June 1.
MMAmania.com has learned that Yoshiro Maeda (23-4-2) has agreed to replace Tapia on short notice and take on Torres at WEC 34: “Faber vs. Pulver” for the 135-pound strap.
Maeda made his WEC debut in Albuquerque, N.M., knocking out Charlie Valencia with a body kick in the first round. The Japanese fighter is a decorated Pancrase and DEEP veteran. In fact, Maeda was the first Pancrase featherweight titleholder.
He had some trouble competing under the Pride FC banner (two of his four losses); however, Maeda has not lost since being submitted by Joe Pearson back in 2006.
It was announced today actually that Maeda would face Damacio Page. That bout appears to have quickly been scratched, however, to ensure a worthy opponent for Torres.
Torres is perhaps the most talented mixed martial arts champion on the planet who somehow remained relatively unknown until just recently. His last time out he overwhelmed Chase Beebe to capture the WEC 135-pound crown back in February.
He has not lost a fight since 2003 and has never been stopped in 33 professional bouts. On the other hand, he finishes more than 70 percent of his opponents.
Tapia-Torres was scheduled to be the co-main event of the evening alongside the showdown between WEC Featherweight Champion, Urijah Faber, and former UFC lightweight champion, Jens Pulver.
Therefore, expect the Torres fight with Maeda to also receive high profile billing … it’s a nice scrap.
WEC 34: “Faber vs. Pulver” is set to air on the Versus network at 9 p.m. ET on June 1.
Wow, this IMO will be a better fight than Tapia. Maeda is an experienced fighter, very good striker, with some submissions. Should be an awesome fight.
damn wasnt Tapia suppose to fight Beebe for the title, but then got hurt and thats when Yahya stepped in? fate really just doesnt want this guy to be champion lol
its ok, Torres will still be champion so they can fight at another time. WAR TORRES!
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Manny Tapia OUT! Miguel Torres vs. Yoshiro Maeda WEC title fight slated for June 1.
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