WEC Confirm Chicago Card - MMAUniverse.com

World Extreme Cagefighting have confirmed the card for World Extreme Cagefighting 40: Torres vs Bowles at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois on Sunday, April 5.

In addition to the electric main event between WEC bantamweight champion Miguel Torres and Japanese striker Takeya Mizugaki, and the 135-pound co-feature clash between Joseph Benavidez and Jeff Curran, nine more exciting bouts fill out WEC’s inaugural trip to the Windy City.

Before the co-main events get underway, lightweights Ben Henderson and Shane Roller lock horns in a battle between two accomplished wrestlers.

Brazilian Raphael Assuncao makes his long-awaited WEC debut when he tackles the well-rounded Jameel Massouh. Assuncao is a feared 145-pound competitor whose arrival spells trouble for the featherweight elite. Known for his slick ground work, Assuncao will have his hands full with former Pancrase star Massouh. Massouh is a well-rounded fighter with a unique blend of knockout power and submissions.

Undefeated lightweight Anthony Pettis makes his WEC debut against Nigerian-born striker Anthony Njokuani. Pettis, in his two-year professional career, will face a stern test in the Muay Thai savvy Njokuani. The 6’0” Njokuani is in search of his first WEC win and hopes to use his potent leg kicks to derail Pettis.

With three straight victories since losing to then-featherweight champion Urijah Faber in 2007, the supremely-conditioned Dominic Cruz hopes to entrench himself in the bantamweight division with a win over newcomer Ivan Lopez. Since moving to the 135-pound weight class in 2008, Cruz has pounded out two unanimous decision wins. Lopez has taken the bantamweight scene by storm with superior kickboxing and submission skills. Born in Tijuana, Mexico and now fighting out of the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, CA, Lopez is looking to make a name for himself in the WEC with a win over Cruz.

Cub Swanson has stopped 10 opponents in 15 professional fights with an array of knockouts and submissions. The 25-year-old looks to continue that impressive streak when he takes on the precision-punching Diego Nunes. Nunes, a former professional soccer player and Brazilian Muay Thai champion, looks to extend a streak of his own, as the 26-year-old seeks score his second consecutive WEC win in Chicago.

Fighters who have had the misfortune of going to the ground with decorated Brazilian jiu jitsu artist Wagnney Fabiano have had a difficult time avoiding the black belt’s submission attempts. The 33-year-old featherweight contender will look to earn his eighth straight victory when he battles similarly gifted grappler Fredson Paixao. A fellow Brazilian, Paixao is dangerous on the ground and has won eight of 10 professional bouts.

An intriguing bantamweight bout pits local product Eddie Wineland against submission ace Rani Yahira. The 24-year-old Wineland is a former WEC bantamweight titleholder who boasts competent wrestling and striking.

Rugged 135-pound contender Manny Tapia looks to rebound from a December loss to champion Miguel Torres when he takes on Osaka, Japan’s Akitoshi Tamura. Tamura, who is coming off a hard-fought three rounder with Wagnney Fabiano, is hungry to gain his first WEC win and will look to use his submissions and kickboxing to stymie Tapia.