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[Sakara=Excitement]

WEC 48 heads to PPV with Aldo vs. Faber, Henderson vs. Cerrone on $44.99 card | MMAjunkie.com

As expected World Extreme Cagefighting is headed to pay-per-view.

The organization today announced via the AP that WEC 48, which retails for $44.99, takes place Saturday, April 24, at ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Calif.

Featured bouts include WEC featherweight champ Jose Aldo vs. Urijah Faber, lightweight champion Benson Henderson vs. Donald Cerrone, and former champ Mike Brown vs. Manny Gamburyan.

The WEC, which traditionally airs on Versus, has never previously aired a show on PPV. The WEC PPV fee is the same as charged by its sister promotion, the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com) reported last month that Faber's WEC 46 victory over Raphael Assuncao had earned him the title shot with Aldo and that it likely would take place at WEC 48.

Aldo (16-1 MMA, 6-0 WEC), who owns nine straight wins and is 6-0 (with six TKO wins) in the WEC, earned the title with a WEC 44 main-event win over then-champ Brown. The Brazilian Nova Uniao fighter makes his first title defense when he meets Faber (23-3, 8-2 WEC), who again fights in front of a hometown crowd. Faber lost his belt and a subsequent rematch with Brown. He's 2-1 over his past three fights, which included the second loss to Brown and submission wins over Jens Pulver and Assuncao.

Soon after confirming the bout last month, WEC General Manager Reed Harris hinted that it could headline the WEC's PPV debut.

"I would think that as we move toward pay-per-view, [Aldo vs. Faber] would be a great pay-per-view," Harris said. "I think the fans would pay to see that fight."

Henderson (11-1 MMA, 4-0 WEC), meanwhile, also makes his first title defense. The well-rounded fighter defeated Cerrone via decision for the interim title in October at WEC 43 and then unified the belts with a submission victory over then-champ Jamie Varner at WEC 46. He puts his 10-fight win streak on the line when he rematches Cerrone (14-2 MMA, 4-2 WEC), who rebounded from the initial loss to Henderson with a third-round submission victory over Ed Ratcliff in the WEC 45 main event in December.

Brown (23-5 MMA, 5-1 WEC) and Gamburyan (10-4 MMA, 2-0 WEC), meanwhile, are likely fighting for a chance to meet the winner of WEC 48's main event. After losing his belt to Aldo, Brown submitted Anthony Morrison last month at WEC 46 to pick up his 11th win in his past 12 fights. Gamburyan, a former UFC fighter and lightweight runner-up on "The Ultimate Fighter 5," made his WEC debut in 2009 and dropped a weight class. He has since posted decision wins over John Franchi and Leonard Garcia to enter featherweight title contention.

[Tyreas]

"Looking for stream... WEC PPV"

[KevoOnTheRadio]

Why are people so hesitant to buy a WEC PPV? When was the last time they had a shit card? Two title fights, 3 fighters who are top 15 P4P (Aldo, Faber, Brown), and a #1 contender fight for the FW title. Put me down as SOLD.

[Tyreas]

Originally Posted by KevoOnTheRadio

Why are people so hesitant to buy a WEC PPV? When was the last time they had a shit card? Two title fights, 3 fighters who are top 15 P4P (Aldo, Faber, Brown), and a #1 contender fight for the FW title. Put me down as SOLD.

It is a PPV worthy card but if its a success then we all lose in the long run. WEC will not put their stars back on Versus if they can make millions with a PPV. We need more free MMA and less watered down PPV shows. The WEC might come out of the gate with strong cards but its going to lead to inferior cards(names) after awhile.

If I remember correctly they said this card would be a tier below the UFC price....what happened to that idea?

[Afroduck]

This is weid for me because I want to see Henderson Vs Ceronne II and Faber Vs Aldo,but I just don't think either Ceronne or Faber deserve a title shot again.Also is it in writting that MMA PPV's have to be atleast 45 dollars.If it was 25 maybe even 30 I would probably pay for it.If I have to choose between this or Anderson Vs Vitor and BJ Vs Edgar I know which I am choosing.

[integer]

Double edge sword. I like what their first card has to offer, but only time will tell the longevity. I also remember reading their pricing would not mirror the UFC.

[snakebite]

Just to clarify, everyone that was saying i was dumb when i said wec has rematch after rematch. There you go cerrone vs henderson...again but now you have to pay for it? give me a break

[GL Jeff]

Originally Posted by snakebite

Just to clarify, everyone that was saying i was dumb when i said wec has rematch after rematch. There you go cerrone vs henderson...again but now you have to pay for it? give me a break

1 rematch.Happens all the time in every promotion. Some of the best fights in history are rematches, or even the trilogy. Shut your fucking mouth, no one wants to hear what you have to say. Hence why your rep is so low.

[gotblood?]

^^^^ lol. Exactly.

[gsprulz]

that card regardless of three big names should not be over 29.99