The Merge | Thebigtip

We wanted it. We asked for it. We got it. The WEC is finally embracing its bigger brother and merging with the colossal Ultimate Fighting Championship.

The WEC (World Extreme Cagefighting) was purchased in 2006 by Zuffa, LLC. Since then it has produced some phenomenal fighters and provided MMA fans across the globe with absolutely breathtaking bouts.

Unlike the UFC, the WEC hosted weight categories below lightweight with featherweight (145lb) and bantamweight (135lb) divisions, the true contrast between itself and the UFC lay. It is unquestionable that these weights offer more dynamic, explosive and unpredictable fights. These lighter built warriors posses greater speed and agility unlike the majority of heavier fighters. If you're reading this article, I am sure you have seen just how WECs' finest such as Californias Urijah Faber and the current featherweight champion Jose Aldo perform. I know it is really going to spice up the UFC.

So we know the WEC-UFC merge provides a fusion of fighters but what does this mean? What are the implications?

WEC 53 -December 16th 2010. The final nail in the coffin, this was the last WEC PPV event to be held before its dissolution. Headlining the event was a title bout between Ben 'Smooth' Henderson and Anthony 'Showtime' Pettis. The bout would crown the winner lightweight champion and an opportunity for a title shot against the current UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar, which will see the first ever lightweight title unification . 

Both fighters lay it all on the table and truly represented what the WEC was all about. Three minutes and fifty-six seconds into the fifth round, Pettis, out of nowhere, pulls off what has now been dubbed the 'matrix kick' and what is now a youtube sensation. .Somehow this man took a run up on the side of the cage, bounced off and in mid air, landed a frightening headkick, which dropped Henderson. UFC pioneer Stephen Bonnars' reaction was priceless: "Oh my goodness! Did you see that? He ran off the wall like a ninja!". I literally kept replaying and replaying the kick, listening to it connect, over and over. This fighter, there and then, made history with that one stunt and showed that this sport is increasingly evolving and unpredictable.

If you haven't had the privilege of seeing this kick, click here.

You're thinking, why am I going off topic and ranting about what has already been the spotlight in articles over and over? My point is that moment,reflects the implications of the merge. Essentially, a diverse and dangerous roster of fighters are about to wash up on the shores of the UFCs' lighter divisions. 145'ers may hop to 155, 155'ers may drop into 145, we could even see some welterweights meet featherweights in the lightweight zone. So many possibilites are now feasable with this merge. Imagine if Faber were to bump up to lightweight? Could Jose Aldo become the Anderson Silva of the lighter divisions and tear up both featherweight and the lightweight? I believe the lightweight warriors need to be aware of just what these guys can do. Fighters from the WEC are going to be keen to make a statement and grasp some UFC glory. Watch out 155!

Apart from these theoretical implications of the WEC mixing things up, there is another element of the merge which I personally am very delighted about. It is quite simple: as a resident of the UK, I haven't been able to watch WEC as it was not broadcasted here. I only recently discovered the WEC and feel almost cheated that I missed out on some truly memorable fights. When I found out about the WEC, I did some research with more dedication than I've had to my academic studies, I delved into the WEC universe and watched some unbelievable fights (thanks mma-core!). Watching these fights made me think "s%*t! I wish I saw that when it was live". When you're watching an MMA PPV and suddenly a "Holy F*%k" moment happens that makes you spill your dinner all over yourself as you jump off the sofa and run at the TV. But with the merge, I'm going to be graced with these crazy bantam and featherweight wars. I am pumped to see fights like Chan Sung Jung vs Leonard Garcia live and shout at my TV as it unfolds instead of frying my brain at my laptop a few days later.

A final postulation. It's probably not that important but this is my first article so I am going to get carried away. Traditionally in the WEC, to accomodate the smaller fighters, bouts were held in cages 25 ft. in diameter, which is 5 ft. smaller than the UFCs' octagon. With a larger battleground, there will be more space to cover and more room to move, which will be new to the UFC rookies. How will this affect the performance of these newcomers? Will it be detrimental to those who like to press opponents against the cage or will it be a harder task for them in the UFCs' octagon and trigger a change of strategy? Perhaps even the former WEC warriors won't put on such exciting bouts as a larger octagon means more distance and room to move. Perhaps this new larger environment will influence these fighters to engage less as there is more space, unlike the smaller WEC cage in which its environment goaded fighters to engage more. Or will the UFC even introduce smaller cages for these brand new weights? Does that mean that bantam and featherweight fights will be hosted by exclusive PPVs solely for their weights?.

Only time will tell what impact this merge will have on the UFC. We cannot predict what will happen specifically but what we can predict is that it is going to be absolutely crazy. So fans, prepare yourself for Zuffas' new ingredient to the UFC mix. I, for one, am going to enjoy this new flavour and you can bet me and my mates are going to be following it religiously. Hold tight guys, we've hit the next chapter in the UFC.