(Donald Cerrone vs. Ed Ratcliff)

After struggling with keeping his knee strikes out of Ed Ratcliff‘s groin area for much of the fight, Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone managed to pull of a late submission victory to salvage his night at WEC 45.  Since Cerrone had already lost two points for the low blows by then, a finish was sort of necessary.  Just like an ice pack and one of those inflatable donuts is now necessary for Ratcliff, who goes home with his testacles damaged and a loss on his record.  At least he and Cerrone shared the Fight of the Night bonus, though it was only worth $10,000.  We’ve said it before, but this is a tough way to make a living, people.

Elsewhere on the card, Anthony Njokuani won Knockout of the Night for his headkick KO of Chris Horodecki (video of that is here), and Brad Pickett took home Submission of the Night for his Peruvian necktie finish of Kyle Dietz. 

Full results are after the jump.

Donald Cerrone def. Ed Ratfliff via submission (rear naked choke) at 3:47 of round 3
Anthony Njokuani def. Chris Horodecki via TKO (head kick) at 3:33 of round 1
Joseph Benavidez def. Rani Yahya via TKO (punches) at 1:35 of round 1
Scott Jorgensen def. Takeya Mizugaki via decision
Bart Palaszewski def. Anthony Pettis via split decision
Zachary Micklewright def. Muhsin Corbbrey via decision
Chad George def. John Hosman via decision
Brandon Visher def. Courtney Buck via TKO (punches) at 4:45 of round 1
Brad Pickett def. Kyle Dietz via submission (Peruvian necktie) at 4:36 of round 2
Erik Koch def. Jameel Massouh via decision