Questions: WEC 47

What does Torres have to do in order to make a statement?

Miguel Torres was previously the world’s undisputed toughest man at 135 pounds, but a knockout loss to Brian Bowles in August dulled that shine considerably. Beating Joe Benavidez Saturday is a must, but the difference between Torres being written off as a stuttering fighter and one who’s righted his own ship could be in finishing off the notoriously hard-nosed Benavidez, who has never been stopped.

Is Ohio a proper test of the WEC’s brand power?

Thousands of gym rats and fight fans converge every March for the Arnold Classic, a celebration of garden-hose vascularity and protein powders. The UFC ran there in 2008 and 2009 to great success: even a Quinton Jackson/Keith Jardine-headlined UFC 96 drew 17,000.

The WEC has normally been content to run in smaller venues: the Nationwide Arena might be a way to bolster attendance and expose more prospective fans to the brand by piggybacking on an established organization.

Is Pulver running on fumes?

A former UFC lightweight champion, Jens Pulver has won once in the past four years while dropping six: it’s speculated that a loss to Javier Vazquez Saturday could get him hustled to the exit. Fortunately, few of Pulver’s several losses came as a result of neural disconnect: he was submitted in half of them and knocked out in two.

Age is kind to no one in combat sports, but it’s especially harsh on lighter fighters that see speed disappear and refuse to compliment power they never had. 35 years old and with 11 years of pro competition behind him, there may not be any camp or psychological change that can dispute that.