Former International Fight League featherweight champion Wagnney Fabiano will toe the line against unbeaten newcomer Erik Koch at WEC 43 “Cerrone vs. Henderson” on Oct. 10 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio.
Widely regarded as one of the top three featherweights in the sport, Fabiano has won eight consecutive fights dating back to a controversial 2006 loss to Jeff Curran. Based out of the revered Nova Uniao camp, the 34-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt last appeared at WEC 40 in April, when he defeated four-time BJJ world champion Fredson Paixao by unanimous decision. Fabiano also holds notable victories against one-time Shooto champion Akitoshi Tamura, L.C. Davis and Bao Quach.
Koch, perfect through seven professional bouts, has not competed since he submitted Tom Ahrens and Will Shutt on the same night at Midwest Cage Championship 20 in April. The 20-year-old Iowan, a former Mainstream MMA titleholder, also holds a submission victory against Pride Fighting Championships, WEC and Adrenaline MMA veteran Joe Pearson. In fact, five of his seven wins have come by submission.
An interim lightweight title bout pairing Donald Cerrone with Benson Henderson will headline WEC 43, which was originally scheduled for Sept. 2 at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown, Ohio. WEC officials postponed and moved the event last week, citing a minor injury to Henderson.
WEC 43: Cerrone vs. Henderson
Saturday, Oct. 10
AT&T Center
San Antonio
WEC Interim Lightweight Championship
Donald Cerrone vs. Benson Henderson
Rich Crunkilton vs. Dave Jansen
Damacio Page vs. Akitoshi Tamura
Raphael Assuncao vs. Yves Jabouin
Anthony Njokuani vs. Muhsin Corbbrey
Rafael Rebello vs. Scott Jorgensen
Wagnney Fabiano vs. Erik Koch
Eddie Wineland vs. Manny Tapia
Charlie Valencia vs. Coty Wheeler
Deividas Taurosevicius vs. Mark Hominick