WEC™ Live On Versus 03/26/08 - All Updates Here

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WEC 33: Filho vs. Sonnen 2
03/26/2008 9:00 PM ET
Versus - Live Event

Fight Card:

-Doug Marshall vs. Brian Stann (Light Heavyweight Championship Bout)
-John Alessio vs. Brock Larson
-Marcus Hicks vs. Ed Ratcliff
-Rich Crunkilton vs. Sergio Gomez
-Chael Sonnen vs. Bryan Baker
-Kenji Osawa vs. Chris Manuel
-Alex Serdyukov vs. Ryan Stonitch
-Tim McKenzie vs. Steve Cantwell
-Hiromitsu Miura vs. Blas Avena
-Logan Clark vs. Scott Harper

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Filho in Clinic, Out of WEC Fight
Thursday, March 13, 2008
by Martins Denis ([Only registered and activated users can see links])

Paulo Filho (Pictures) will not defend his WEC middleweight crown against Chael Sonnen (Pictures) on March 26, his manager, Jorge Guimaraes, told Sherdog.com.

"We tried our best with Filho, but it didn't work and he'll not fight in the WEC," Guimaraes said. "He tried with all his effort to accomplish the title defense, but he realized he couldn't do it due to chemical dependence and depression. He knew this kind of stuff does not have a link with the sport, and I'm happy he had a conscience and looked for help."

Filho had disappeared for two days, causing immense concern for his teammates and Guimaraes. He ended up checking himself into a rehabilitation clinic in Niteroi, Brazil.

Guimaraes couldn't say for certain how long Filho will stay under treatment, but he suggested the fighter will stay at the clinic until he is 100 percent. Filho is feeling better, Guimares said, after 48 hours of treatment. Guimaraes declined comment on the root of Filho's chemical dependence.

"The WEC staff was superb with us," the manager added. "They understood the situation, and Filho will return and defend his belt in June. Filho also realized who his real friends are, and he took this lesson seriously. He'll come back victorious from this tough moment and he will be supported, as mentioned, by his real friends."

"We fully support Paulo in this difficult time and our thoughts are with him as he goes through recovery, Peter Dropick, WEC Vice President, said through a statement on the promotion's Web site.

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- CHAEL SONNEN TO FACE BRYAN BAKER FOR WEC
Monday, March 17, 2008 - by MMAWeekly.com

World Extreme Cagefighting on Monday announced that Chael Sonnen, originally scheduled to challenge Paulo Filho for his middleweight title, will now face Bryan Baker in a non-title bout on March 26 in Las Vegas.

The Sonnen vs. Filho title bout fell apart last week when Filho withdrew from the bout and checked himself into a rehabilitation clinic in Brazil to treat a substance problem.

Baker was originally scheduled to face Logan Clark on March 26.

In an interview with MMAWeekly on Friday, Sonnen was rather forthright about his thoughts on whether he gets a shot at Filho or not. “I’ve got a goal to beat Paulo in the ring, but that’s it. I don’t have a goal to beat him in life or for him to have a bad life. Sounds like he’s maybe got a couple of things that he’s working on outside of the ring and I really hope that goes well for him.

“If the title shot comes, great. If he’s not ready to compete by then, and I’m purely speculating, what I would think is that at some point, (the WEC is) going to have to take that title away if he’s not ever going to get in the ring.”

Sonnen is returning from a controversial loss to Filho in December, looking to get back on the winning track. He had put together a five-fight streak of victories before the loss to Filho.

Currently training at American Kickboxing Academy for his fight, Baker is undefeated in professional competition, putting together a record of 6-0. Sonnen, however, will likely be his toughest test to date.

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NEW OPPONENT, SAME PLAN FOR WEC'S LOGAN CLARK
Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Logan Clark, originally slated to face Bryan Baker at WEC 33 on March 26, will instead face Scott Harper. Clark announced the bout on his website on Wednesday.

Clark was actually a last minute replacement for the injured Nissan Osterneck. During the past week, however, current middleweight champion Paulo Filho withdrew from his title defense having recently checked himself into a rehabilitation clinic for a reported substance abuse problem, leaving challenger Chael Sonnen without an opponent.

“Since the WEC was having difficult time finding someone to fight Sonnen on short notice,” said Clark, “they have decided to bump Bryan Baker up to fighting Sonnen since he is an undefeated WEC contender who might be able to give Sonnen a good challenge.”

Clark maintains a 7-1 professional record with his only loss being a unanimous decision to Eric Schambari in his last bout for World Extreme Cagefighting.

Harper has never fought on an event of this magnitude, but comes into the bout with an 8-3 professional record.

“Scott may have a few losses but hasn’t dropped a fight since joining American Top Team this last year,” Clark stated. “He is on a three-fight win streak with three submission stoppages. He looks to have a good ground game but not exceptional stand-up. This means that I will be able to stick with my previous game plan and look for the knockout standing.”

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