World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) was an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion founded in 2001. It was purchased by Zuffa, LLC, the parent company of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), in 2006. In its final incarnation, it was made up of 3 weight classes: 135 lb (61 kg), 145 lb (66 kg) and 155 lb (70 kg). To accommodate the smaller fighters, WEC's cage was 25 feet (7.6 m) in diameter—5 feet (1.5 m) smaller than the standard UFC cage. The smaller cage is now used by UFC for selected events.
WEC 25: McCullough vs. Cope was the first mixed martial arts event held by the World Extreme Cagefighting under Zuffa management. The event was held on January 20, 2007. WEC 25's main event was a championship fight for the vacant WEC Lightweight Title, between rivals Rob McCullough and Kit Cope. The co-main event was a WEC Featherweight Title bout between champion, Urijah Faber and challenger Joe Pearson.
WEC 27: Marshall vs. McElfresh was the third mixed martial arts event held by the World Extreme Cagefighting under Zuffa management. The event was held on May 12, 2007.
WEC 23: Hot August Fights was a mixed martial arts event held on August 17, 2006. WEC 23's main event was a championship fight for the WEC Light Heavyweight Title between champion Lodune Sincaid and challenger Doug Marshall.
WEC 32: New Mexico was a mixed martial arts (MMA) event held by World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) that took place on Wednesday, February 13, 2008. For the first time under Zuffa ownership, the show was held in Rio Rancho, New Mexico and not the usual spot of Las Vegas, Nevada. The event drew an estimated 268,000 viewers on Versus, a record low for the WEC.
WEC 35: Condit vs. Miura was a mixed martial arts event held by World Extreme Cagefighting that took place on August 3, 2008 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Paradise, Nevada. The event drew an estimated 423,000 viewers on Versus. The event featured three title fights, the first time a Zuffa, LLC promoted MMA card featured more than two title fights on the same card since UFC 33 in 2001; there would not be another UFC event with more than two until UFC 205 in 2017, after Zuffa had sold the promotion.
Steven Francis Cantwell is a retired American mixed martial artist. A professional competitor from 2005 until 2012, he competed for the UFC and for the UFC's sister organization, World Extreme Cagefighting. There, Cantwell was a one-time WEC Light Heavyweight Champion and he was the last man to hold the title before WEC's Light Heavyweight division was migrated into the UFC.
WEC 19: Undisputed was a mixed martial arts event held by World Extreme Cagefighting on March 17, 2006 at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, California. The event aired live on the HDNet Fights.
WEC 16: Clash of the Titans 2 was a mixed martial arts event promoted by World Extreme Cagefighting on August 18, 2005 at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, California. The main event saw Ron Waterman take on Ricco Rodriguez for the WEC Super Heavyweight Championship.
WEC 17: Halloween Fury 4 was a mixed martial arts event promoted by World Extreme Cagefighting on October 14, 2005 at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, California. A light heavyweight tournament was held with the winner being crowned the champion and given a deal with the UFC.
WEC 53: Henderson vs. Pettis was a mixed martial arts event held by World Extreme Cagefighting that took place on December 16, 2010 at Jobing.com Arena in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale, Arizona. The event was the first time that Zuffa has hosted an event in Arizona. This was the final WEC event, due to the merger with the UFC.
Brian Olsen is an American former mixed martial artist. A professional from 2004 until 2008, he was the last WEC Heavyweight Champion before it was abolished when Zuffa purchased the organization.
The year 2004 is the 4th year in the history of World Extreme Cagefighting, a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States. In 2004 WEC held 4 events beginning with, WEC 9: Cold Blooded.
The year 2005 is the 5th year in the history of World Extreme Cagefighting, a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States. In 2005 WEC held 5 events beginning with, WEC 13: Heavyweight Explosion.
The year 2006 is the 6th year in the history of World Extreme Cagefighting, a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States. In 2006 WEC held 7 events beginning with, WEC 18: Unfinished Business.
The year 2007 is the 7th year in the history of World Extreme Cagefighting, a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States. In 2007 WEC held 7 events beginning with, WEC 25: McCullough vs. Cope.
The year 2008 is the 8th year in the history of World Extreme Cagefighting, a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States. In 2008 WEC held 6 events beginning with, WEC 32: Condit vs. Prater.