Glendale earned the right to host the WEC event after winning the recent Amp Energy Hometown Beatdown contest.
“Arizona deserved a card like this after winning the Amp Energy Hometown Takedown contest,” WEC General Manager Reed Harris said. “Fans in the Phoenix market voted for over two months and beat out 30 other cities to bring WEC to their area. Now, we are bringing fans two awesome title fights to Jobing.com Arena. Glendale’s Ben Henderson will face the stiffest test of his career in Anthony Pettis. Plus, Cruz-Jorgensen has the chance to be one of the greatest bantamweight title fights of all time. We cannot wait for this event in Glendale.”
Henderson (12-1) captured the lightweight championship by defeating Donald Cerrone last year. He followed up the title victory with defenses over Jamie Varner and a second win over Cerrone.
“I’m very excited to fight in front of my friends and family in Glendale,” Henderson said. “Pettis brings high-energy and good skill set to the table. He’s dynamic and tough, and he showed a lot of heart and grit by tapping out Shane Roller with a triangle in his last fight. If he wants it, let’s find out who the better man is on Dec. 16.”
Pettis earned the title shot by defeating Shane Roller in August.
Cruz will be making his second title defense on the card. He most recently scored a close decision victory over Joseph Benavidez. Jorgensen defeated Brad Pickett in August to earn his title shot.
“He’s a strong, powerful guy with great wrestling ability,” Cruz, 16-1, said of Jorgensen. “But his winning streak means nothing to me because I’m on a streak myself. He’s got a different matchup with me and I’m excited to put an end to his streak. I’ve got nothing but respect for the guy, he’s a great fighter, but I’m going to be better that night.”
Tickets for the event go on sale Thursday at 12 p.m. PT and are priced at $165, $135, $65 and $35. WEC newsletter subscribers will be afforded the chance to buy tickets on Wednesday beginning at 10 a.m. PT.
