7 Fights Signed for WEC 53

Ivan Menjivar (right) : Jeff Sherwood | Sherdog.com

Ivan Menjivar will meet former Cage Rage champion Brad Pickett in a key bantamweight matchup at WEC 53 “Henderson vs. Pettis” on Dec. 16 at the Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Ariz. Seven fights have been greenlit for the event, which will air live on the Versus network.

Menjivar last appeared under the Warrior-1 MMA banner in June, when he submitted Aaron Miller with a first-round triangle choke at the Pierre Charbonneau Centre in Montreal; it was his first fight in nearly four years. Wins over “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 5 semi-finalist Joe Lauzon, UFC veteran Jeff Curran and 2009 Dream welterweight grand prix semi-finalist Hideo Tokoro anchor the 28-year-old Montreal native’s resume. Menjivar has delivered 16 of his 21 career victories by knockout, technical knockout or submission. Only Jason Black and reigning UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre have finished him in 28 professional appearances.

Anchored at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Fla., Pickett has posted nine wins in 10 fights, losing only to the world-ranked Scott Jorgensen in that span. A potent finisher, the 32-year-old Englishman has secured 15 of his 19 career victories by KO, TKO or submission. Pickett has not lost back-to-back bouts in more than three years.

A pair of five-round title bouts will headline WEC 53, as lightweight champion Benson Henderson defends against Duke Roufus protégé Anthony Pettis and bantamweight titleholder Dominick Cruz squares off with Jorgensen, the top contender at 135 pounds. The event will also feature lightweight matchups pairing Donald Cerrone with Chris Horodecki and former WEC champion Jamie Varner with Shane Roller.

Benson Henderson vs. Anthony Pettis

Dominick Cruz vs. Scott Jorgensen

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

* Not Official