(Whatever Benavidez throws at him in the cage, it won’t be nearly as intense as that horrible freakin’ ice bath. Props: YouTube.com/fightmagazine)

Headlining tomorrow night’s WEC 50 card on Versus is Dominick Cruz (15-1) attempting his first bantamweight title defense against old rival Joseph Benavidez (12-1). Cruz won their first meeting at WEC 42 by unanimous decision. Will he be able to repeat the performance, or is Joe B gettin’ that belt? Let’s go to the stats…

AGE
Cruz: 25
Benavidez: 26
Advantage: Even

HEIGHT
Cruz: 5’8"
Benavidez: 5’4"
Advantage: Cruz. Seriously, Ariel Helwani looks like a giant standing next to Joe. Though to be fair, Miguel Torres is 5’9", and Benavidez wrecked him.

FINISHING PERCENTAGE
Cruz: 44% (7 out of 16 fights ended in stoppage victories)
Benavidez: 77% (10 out of 13 fights ended in stoppage victories)
Advantage: Benavidez


ONLY LOSS CAME AGAINST…
Cruz: Urijah Faber, via first-round guillotine choke in a featherweight title fight at WEC 26. Since then, Cruz has gone 5-0 in the WEC as a bantamweight, including his two-round TKO over Brian Bowles to earn the title in March.
Benavidez: His aforementioned first fight against Dominick Cruz. Since then, he’s posted stoppage victories over Rani Yahya and Miguel Torres.
Advantage: Cruz

PERFORMANCE BONUSES
Cruz: 1 Fight of the Night (against Benavidez)
Benavidez: 1 FOTN, 1 Submission of the Night (against Torres)
Advantage: Benavidez

BETTING ODDS
Cruz: -240
Benavidez: +225
Advantage: Cruz. But if you’re a gambler, Benavidez’s line should look tempting. Their first fight was close, and Benavidez will be familiar with Cruz’s strange fight-rhythms this time.

MIDDLE NAME
Cruz: Rojelio
Benavidez: Rolando
Advantage: Even

BASE SALARY AT WEC 47
Cruz: $9,000
Benavidez: $14,500
Advantage: Benavidez

DISLIKED BY URIJAH FABER?
Cruz: Yes. Faber has called him a "dope" and "disrespectful."
Benavidez: Nah. Benavidez and Faber are Team Alpha Male homeboys.
Advantage: Benavidez

WALKOUT GEAR
Cruz: Metal/skull/spiderweb-themed Metal Mulisha tee
Benavidez: FORM Athletics, AMP energy, custom "JB" logo
Advantage: Even

TWITTER FOLLOWERS
Cruz: 3,114 (@TheDomin8r)
Benavidez: 2,774 (@JoeB135)
Advantage: Cruz

Final score: We have a 4-4-3 tie! I know, not the most satisfying ending. I guess you’ll just have to watch the fight tomorrow…