10 UFC/WEC Merger Perks

The news of a merger between the UFC and WEC should continue to dominate the sports conversation this week. (“Merger” might be too generous a word, as it hints at equality. The UFC swallowed its precocious side attraction whole.) Some speculation on how things might play out:

B.J. Penn vs. Jose Aldo Aldo, the 145-pound dynamo, is barely a few title defenses into his career; a move up to 155 may not make sense at the moment. Instead, have Penn shed a few extra pounds and try to capture a record third world title. Better story, and better odds than tackling Matt Hughes at 170.

Miguel Torres vs. Urijah Faber It could’ve happened in the WEC, but so what? It’s a fight that deserves a bigger stage, and with both guys showing some mortality in recent fights, it’s better to do it now rather than wait.

Jamie Varner vs. Nate Diaz For the volume of trash talked alone, this should be a two-hour countdown show.

Benson Henderson vs. Frankie Edgar While Edgar’s pacifist’s style still fails to fascinate me, unifying the belts is a necessary step. And if Henderson wins, the number of exciting fights available is almost unlimited.

Donald Cerrone vs. Takanori Gomi Bang, bang.

Kamal Shalorus vs. George Sotiropoulos Sholorus was flirting with 155-pound title contention prior to the merger; Sotiropoulos is inching his way there on the UFC’s end. Let’s see where they converge.

Mac Danzig vs. Leonard Garcia Danzig has been the “Ultimate Fighter’s” least successful winner, dropping four of five fights in the UFC’s lightweight division. Joe Stevenson probably makes it five of six in December. At that point, you need reinvention. Give him Garcia to see if he can handle the pressure.

Todd Harris: Interviewer The WEC’s pleasant play-by-play guy might be facing the ax in light of Mike Goldberg’s perpetual perpitude. Instead of a pink slip, have Harris take over Joe Rogan’s role as the postfight interviewer. It makes Rogan’s night a little less frenzied and gives him less of a roving-reporter image.

WEC: The Anthology There are hundreds of fights in the WEC’s library, but only a handful of events ever saw a DVD release. While the brand isn’t strong enough to sustain a back catalog that just trickles out -- and dilutes the UFC’s own DVD stock on shelves -- a massive Blu-ray collection would serve die-hard collectors well. Make it an Internet-only collection pressed to order.

The WEC Mat The grand prize in a promotional giveaway. What better way to reward fans than with a biohazard?