10 Fights Greenlit for WEC 51

Ring of Combat bantamweight champion Nick Pace will make his World Extreme Cagefighting debut in a preliminary matchup against the once-beaten Demetrious Johnson at WEC 51 “Aldo vs. Gamburyan” on Sept. 30 at the 1stBank Center in Broomfield, Colo. Ten bouts are now official for the event, which will air live on the Versus network.

Spawned by Team Tiger Schulmann, Pace submitted Steve Deangelis with a first-round brabo choke at Ring of Combat 30 in June, capturing the New Jersey-based promotion’s 135-pound title in the process. The 23-year-old Bellator Fighting Championships veteran was a late replacement for Clint Godfrey. Pace has finished three of his first five opponents inside one round.

Johnson suffered his first professional defeat in a unanimous decision loss to former Cage Rage champion Brad Pickett at WEC 48 in April. The 24-year-old Matt Hume protégé has five first-round finishes on his resume. The 5-foot-3, 135-pound prospect cut his teeth under the King of the Cage and Alaska Fighting Championship banners.

A featherweight title match between defending champion Jose Aldo and “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 5 runner-up Manny Gamburyan will headline WEC 51, along with an anticipated rematch pairing Donald Cerrone with former WEC lightweight titleholder Jamie Varner. In addition, one-time WEC bantamweight king Miguel Torres will answer the bell against Charlie Valencia, as he tries to put the brakes on a two-fight losing streak.

WEC 51: Aldo vs. Gamburyan
Thursday, Sept. 30
1stBank Center
Broomfield, Colo.

WEC Featherweight Championship
Jose Aldo vs. Manny Gamburyan

Jamie Varner vs. Donald Cerrone
Miguel Torres vs. Charlie Valencia
Leonard Garcia vs. Mark Hominick
Mike Thomas Brown vs. Cole Province
Chris Horodecki vs. Ed Ratcliff
Chan Sung Jung vs. George Roop
Diego Nunes vs. Tyler Toner
Antonio Banuelos vs. Chad George
Nick Pace vs. Demetrious Johnson
* Tie Quan Zhang vs. Jason Reinhardt

* Not Official