Menjivar-Pickett on Tap for WEC 53

One-time UFC competitor Ivan Menjivar will likely meet former Cage Rage champion Brad Pickett in a bantamweight bout at the World Extreme Cagefighting’s final event, WEC 53 “Henderson vs. Pettis,” on Dec. 16 at the Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Ariz.

The pair has apparently agreed to square off, according to a MMAWeekly.com report. Sherdog attempted to confirm the matchup with one of the combatants, but the fighter said he could not comment on the rumored WEC 53 bout.

Menjivar recently returned to the sport after a three-year layoff. The French-Canadian began his career back in 2001, starting a perfect 4-0 before running into a young Georges St. Pierre in 2002. Menjivar has fought in many organizations around the world, including TKO, K-1, Pancrase and King of the Cage. The 28-year-old has also squared off against some of the world’s best, including Uriah Faber, Hideo Tokoro and Caol Uno. Menjivar’s lone appearance in the big show came at UFC 48, where he lost a unanimous decision to former welterweight champion Matt Serra. The Quebecer is perhaps most famous for his inventive calf-slicer submission victory over Joe Lauzon in 2005. WEC 53 will mark Menjivar’s first appearance at bantamweight after having fought the majority of his career at 145 pounds or heavier. Only five of his 21 professional victories have gone to the judges’ scorecards, and he has finished seven of his foes by submission.

Pickett is coming off a WEC 50 loss to Scott Jorgensen in August that earned him “Fight of the Night” honors. Before the Jorgensen defeat, the Englishman was on a nine-fight winning streak, including back-to-back victories in his first two bouts inside the blue cage at WEC 45 and WEC 48. “One Punch” has finished the vast majority of his opponents by knockout or submission and has only been KO’d once in his 24-fight career.

WEC 53 will be headlined by a lightweight title fight between champion Benson Henderson and challenger Anthony Pettis. That will determine the number one contender for the UFC lightweight strap, which will be defended by Frankie Edgar against Gray Maynard at UFC 125 on Jan. 1.

WEC 53 “Henderson vs. Pettis”
Thursday, Dec. 16
Jobing.com Arena
Glendale, Ariz.

WEC Lightweight Championship
Benson Henderson vs. Anthony Pettis

WEC Bantamweight Championship
Dominick Cruz vs. Scott Jorgensen

Donald Cerrone vs. Chris Horodecki
Jamie Varner vs. Shane Roller
Danny Castillo vs. Will Kerr
Renan do Nascimento Mota Pegado vs. Chris Cariaso
* Bart Palaszewski vs. Kamal Shalorus
* Tie Quan Zhang vs. Daniel Downes
* Ivan Menjivar vs. Brad Pickett
* Yuri Alcantara vs. Ricardo Lamas

* Not Official