Movie spotlight
WEC 53: Henderson vs. Pettis
WEC 53: Henderson vs. Pettis was a mixed martial arts event held by World Extreme Cagefighting that took place on December 16, 2010 at Jobing.com Arena in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale, Arizona. The event was the first time that Zuffa has hosted an event in Arizona. This was the final WEC event before merging with UFC in 2011.
Insights
Plot Summary
WEC 53 featured a highly anticipated WEC Lightweight Championship bout between champion Ben Henderson and rising star Anthony Pettis. The event also included a WEC Featherweight Championship defense by Jose Aldo against Manvel Gamburyan. This event is significant for marking the WEC's final show before its merger with the UFC.
Critical Reception
WEC 53 was widely regarded as a spectacular send-off for the World Extreme Cagefighting promotion. The main event between Henderson and Pettis, in particular, was lauded for its technical skill and dramatic conclusion. The co-main event also delivered an exciting performance from Jose Aldo.
What Reviewers Say
Widely considered one of the greatest fights in WEC history.
Anthony Pettis's 'Showtime Kick' became an instant viral sensation and iconic MMA moment.
A fitting and memorable finale for the WEC promotion.
Google audience: Audience reception for WEC 53 was overwhelmingly positive, with many fans highlighting the main event as a definitive fight of the year and a historic moment in MMA. The 'Showtime Kick' is frequently mentioned as a highlight.
Awards & Accolades
The event is most famous for Anthony Pettis's 'Showtime Kick', which won numerous awards for Knockout of the Year and Move of the Year.
Fun Fact
Anthony Pettis's famous 'Showtime Kick' off the cage was the first time such a maneuver had ever been successfully landed in a professional MMA fight.
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