UFC-WEC Merger: 10 Fighters Helped By the Move

It was recently announced the World Extreme Cage Fighting would merge with the UFC in early 2011 to combine forces into one large promotion.  This is a big move in fighting as it will give the fighters in the WEC a chance to shine in a national spotlight, instead of just for the niche fan base that it has now.

The WEC is known for its smaller weight classes, including the featherweight class, which will allow the UFC to cater to more people who like watching small fighters.

The merger of these two companies will give many fighters the opportunity to prove themselves further and allow them to gain a bigger spotlight.  Here are 10 fighters that will benefit the most from the merger.

James Evens is a Purdue student and Basketball/Football Featured Columnist for the Boilermakers, along with being a Writing Intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, or like him on Facebook.

Ben Henderson

Ben Henderson is the current lightweight champion in the WEC.  When the two promotions merge it will give him a title shot at the current lightweight champion of the UFC, if he can win his bout against Anthony Pettis.

Henderson has a professional record of 12-1 and weighs in at 155 pounds.  This will allow Henderson to prove himself and gain a face if he can come into the UFC and quickly be successful.

Anthony Pettis

Pettis is a highly skilled lightweight fighter currently set to face Ben Henderson at the last WEC event for  the WEC lightweight belt, and a shot at the UFC champion. 

If he can win this bout, he will propel himself into the spotlight of the UFC and become a house-hold name.

Frankie Edgar

Although Edgar is currently the UFC lightweight champion, he will have a lot of added competition with this merger.  It will allow him to further his professional record, and maybe even be able to become the undisputed champion.  

Edgar is set to face Maynard at UFC 125 and will need to get through that before he even thinks about securing another title.

Edson Barboza

Barboza holds a professional record of 6-0 and will be able to get some new competition after this merger.  It might just be enough to propel him to the top of the waiting list for a lightweight title.

If Barboza can continue winning he will be able to further his ability to be one of the best fighters.

Evan Dunham

Dunham currently holds a professional record of 11-1, and deserves a shot at the title.  With such a great record already, it is only a matter of time before he gets his shot. This merger will only propel him into the limelight as he is able to face some great new fighters.

If he can continue winning, he will demand a title shot and things could get interesting.

Josh Grispi

Grispi, who has a professional record of 14-1, could benefit greatly by this merger. 

He will get a title shot at Jose Aldo for the featherweight belt on January first.

This could launch him to the top of the rankings and allow him to dominate the ranks of UFC.

Jason Reinhardt

Reinhardt, who has a professional record of 20-1, will be looking to battle it out for a shot at the lightweight title once he gets a chance to move up with the big boys in UFC.  He still needs to prove himself, but he is surely in line for a shot.

Having such an immaculate record will allow him an opportunity to fight on the main stage and make one last final lunge for the top.

Pat Audinwood

Audinwood has a professional record of 9-1 and will be looking for an opportunity to prove himself once this merger takes place.  

It will give him the opportunity to face even better opponents and allow him to squash some easier ones.

Pat will surely have a chip on his shoulder and will be looking to set some examples in his next few fights.

Terry Etim

Julian Finney/Getty Images

MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM - MARCH 18: Referee Mike Tyson stops the fight between Diego Gonzalez (L) of Spain and Terry Etim of England, declard the winner, during the World Cage Fighting Championships at the MEN Arena on March 18, 2006 in Manchester, En

With a record of 14-4, Etim is looking like his title days could be over, but this merger could change that.  If he decided he really wanted a shot again he could drop down a division with this new belt being offered in the UFC.

Dropping classes could save his career and propel him to the top of the UFC once again.

Jose Aldo

Aldo is 18-1 and is a very skilled fighter who still holds a featherweight title belt in the UFC.  However, he has mentioned other plans for the future.

He plans to defend his belt then move up to face Frankie for his lightweight belt.

Who knows what will happen with this, but it could make Aldo an even bigger star in the UFC than he is now.  He will be a household name by the time he leaves UFC.