<div class="Article" style="float: left;">
<table>
<tr style="vertical-align: bottom;">
<td>
<h3><a href="/go=news.detail&gid=287415" target="_blank">
Saying goodbye to the WEC
</a></h3>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<a href="/go=news.detail&gid=287415" ><img class="photo" src="http://img.mixedmartialarts.com/method=get&rs=100&q=75&x=85&y=44&w=310&h=165&ro=0&s=9FDD2149-1D09-6BFC-E57E8CE76C4E3A99.jpg" /></a>
<strong class="ArticleSource">[mmaweekly.com]</strong>
<div style="clear: both; line-height: 1px;height: 1px;"> </div>
</div>
<blockquote>
From day one, the WEC was a top-notch organization that attracted talent from all over the world, many who graduated to fight in the UFC, Strikeforce, and other major promotions. Many of the fighters that competed on those early WEC cards are still at the top of the ranks now, headlining cards and involved in some of the biggest bouts in the sport.
Ben Henderson:
“I’ll always have a special place in my heart for the WEC. They’re the ones who kind of gave me a shot, got my national and international attention while with the WEC, and just with all that, it’s kind of a bittersweet moment to see the WEC go, but excited for the move on.”
Dominick Cruz:
“I started with them, I think they had one show (under Zuffa) before I came on with them, so I’ve been with them for a little over three years. It doesn’t seem that long, it flew by, so I’ve been with the WEC pretty much since the beginning when they got their TV deal. It’s been a heck of a ride, and I’ve learned so, so much by fighting with the WEC. I’ve learned a lot about myself, I’ve learned a lot about this business.”
Danny Castillo:
“I’m kind of sad cause I pretty much started my career there. I was only at seven months of training, and I got the call on short notice, like five days notice to take the fight against Donald Cerrone. I took the fight, so I don’t really know anything else. I see some of the guys in the gym talking about their hardships of finding opponents, and an opponent pulling out, or the promoter not getting them money, but I’ve been in the WEC almost more than half of my career, so I’ve been kind of spoiled.
“Sean Shelby and Reed Harris they took the chance on me and I went through a rough patch where I dropped two straight, and MMA’s a tough business, a competitive business, and they had the power to rip up my contract if they wanted to. I feel like they believed in my abilities and I feel like I owe them a huge, exciting fight.”
Eddie Wineland:
“Without the WEC, who’s Eddie Wineland? That’s kind of what got me my name and got me where I am, and that’s helped me pave the road that I’ve been driving down,” Wineland said.
Anthony Pettis:
“The WEC for me was a home and it made me who I am today. I’m just so thankful that the WEC gave me a chance to show my skills on a huge level like that.”
WEC General Manager and founder Reed Harris:
“We never anticipated or even thought it would grow to the way it has grown. It’s a testament to everyone that worked hard on it. There were a lot of people that worked hard on the WEC and including (MMAWeekly's) Ryan (Bennett), who helped us out a lot when we were growing.”
The staff of the WEC will transition over to new jobs with the UFC, and the fighters will switch the colors and logos on their gloves, but the promotion will live on in those who fought there, bled there, and built their careers there.