UFC 129: Was WEC Merger a Good Move? One Fighter Says It May Not Be

When the UFC absorbed the lighter weight fighters into the promotion, the former WEC fighters had something to be worried about.

The UFC is a larger man’s promotion. Led by Brock Lesnar, the heavyweight title fights have drawn the biggest buy rates. Also, outside of Georges St-Pierre and BJ Penn, the biggest stars in the promotion reside in the light heavyweight division.

Taking away Urijah Faber, exactly which WEC fighter is the most well known? The likely answer is Jose Aldo, but he receives that notation only because he defeated the aforementioned Faber.

However, everything is not negative for the new guys. Most importantly, the WEC was known for putting on exciting fights. Putting on exciting fights means bigger paydays.

“The little guys are going to take a lot of the bonuses from the heavier weights,” former WEC bantamweight Charlie Valencia said. “We’re exciting, and we don’t waste any time.”

Valencia will have a chance to prove just that as he takes on Ivan Menjivar coming up this Saturday at UFC 129.

“It should be an exciting fight,” Valencia said. “He’s a veteran, well-rounded. I can’t wait to get in there.”

For Valencia, this is his first fight on the big stage with the UFC. He believes there are some similarities and differences.

“Opponent-wise, it’s the same thing,” Valencia said. “I would have fought Ivan in the WEC, but just being under the UFC banner is really a dream for me.”

Even though he is now in the world’s top promotion, Valencia still believes being in the WEC was a benefit to him.

“I liked the fact that it was separate as it gave it a different feel,” Valencia said. “I think we were doing pretty well. I’m very happy the WEC came in and actually made a name for itself. We showed off the little guys—that we can be just as exciting, if not more, than the heavier weights.”

Now that the two promotions are combined, Valencia has watched some of the other former WEC fighters make their debuts with the UFC.

Surprisingly, Valencia feels loyalty to his prior co-workers.

“I am kind of swayed to the WEC fighters,” Valencia said when asked if he was rooting for Donald Cerrone when Cerrone made his debut as the first WEC fighter in the UFC. “I think we can hold our own. I am a little biased.”

Valencia brings a 12-6 record into his Octagon debut. He is certain the lighter weight fighters will make a positive impression.

“We won’t get lost,” Valencia said. “People are going to see the lighter guys overshadow some of the heavier guys. We’re going to get more notoriety and become more popular.”

In order for Valencia to have successful first appearance, he’ll have to get by Menjivar. Menjivar is 21-8 in his career, but he has dropped three of his last four fights.

“I truly believe this is a great stylistic fight for both of us,” Valencia said of the match-up “We’re going to swing hard and really go out there.”

As an eleven-year veteran of the sport, Valencia takes a very practical approach to fighting – even when making predictions.

“I take it fight by fight,” Valencia said. “I’m pretty much a realist. I’m going to say unanimous decision—by me, of course.”

However, this fight could be Valencia’s last. He’s often thought about retiring because he has made many trips to the doctor.

“I am an older guy,” Valencia said. “I’ve been through a whole lot of injuries—torn retina, broken orbital bone, two reconstructive knee surgeries and a broken hand. I could keep going.”

With all the injuries, Valencia is still looking forward to getting into the cage, at least for one more appearance. However, this time he has even more incentive.

“100,000 bonus doesn’t sound bad to me at all.”

Gary Herman is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained first-hand from Charlie Valencia.