WEC 48: Will the Organization's First-Ever PPV Receive Additional Star Power?

The WEC officially announced their first venture into the world of PPV in what could be their most explosive card ever.

“The California Kid” Urijah Faber will attempt to capture the featherweight title from feared knockout artist and ESPN’s 2009 Fighter of the Year Jose Aldo. For Faber, this could be his final shot to lay claim to featherweight supremacy. 

Can he upend the young Brazilian?

In the co-main event, lightweight champion Ben Henderson will collide with Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in a rematch of the 2009 Fight of the Year.

Is there any way that a rematch could possibly be any better than the first?

Also on tap is former featherweight champion Mike Brown, who will lock horns with Armenian judo ace and TUF 5 finalist Manny Gamburyan in a fight that will surely test the man who is best known for beating Faber—not once but twice.

All of this will take place despite the fact that star power, pundits, and fans alike are skeptical as to whether or not the WEC can make a successful transition to a PPV model.

The $44.95 sticker price casts further doubt as to whether or not devotees of the organization who are used to watching it free on television, will shell out what they are used to paying for a UFC PPV.

UFC 108 was perceived as a lackluster and it is reported to have done around 300,000 buys.

How will a stacked WEC event compare to an uninspiring UFC event?

And what about the possibility of one or more of their Bantamweight stars currently competing on next month’s WEC 47, doing the quick turnaround to compete on WEC 48?

Current Champ Brian Bowles will take on Dominick Cruz for the Bantamweight title, while Joseph Benavidez is set to do battle with former champ Miguel Torres.

"It’s possible,” responded the WEC when contacted by Bleacher Report.

A rematch between Brian Bowles and Miguel Torres would obviously be the most marketable addition to a PPV whether or not adding that match to the mix motivates fans sitting on the fence to buy the card is up for debate.

The biggest risk in adding additional star power to one event is that you leave yourself stretched thin for future fight cards, something the WEC will no doubt consider when finalizing their first ever PPV card.

Speaking to the Associated Press WEC general manager Reed Harris said, "We wanted to wait until we had this type of card to go to pay-per-view. We didn’t want to do a pay-per-view show until fans would say at the end of the night, ‘This was worth it.’  This will truly be the biggest event we’ve ever done. I think we’re destined to always be on free TV, this is just something where the timing is right to take the next step."

Despite the mixed response from the MMA community, the WEC must strike while the iron is hot, and with several high profile match ups coming together at the right time, this is the precise moment to test the shark-infested PPV waters.