Former WEC champ turned contender Eddie Wineland faces newcomer Ken Stone at final WEC show, this December

Eddie Wineland knows what it is to be champion. Being the man on top of the division, ruling it with an iron fist–in his case, literally. However, since losing his title against former champ Chase Beebe some years ago, Wineland has comeback from proverbial wec wash out to now a budding contender in the ever expanding 135-pound division. Now with a little more clout surrounding his weight class with the merger of the WEC assimilating into the UFC, there’s no better time then now for Eddie to put on a strong performance.

Since returning to the WEC in 2009, Wineland has gone 3-1, with his lone loss coming against talented Jiu-Jitsu ace and former title challenger Rahni Yahya in his initial return in April of last year, Eddie has reeled off three wins in a row, all impressive performances.

After decision victories over Manny Tapia and season 8 veteran of “The Ultimate Fighter” George Roop, Wineland once again his superior boxing prowess when he was able to stop the talented Will Campuzano on strikes at WEC 49 last June. Rocking his early and often throughout the bout, Wineland was able to drop the charging Campuzano wiith a well-timed right hook to the dome, and stayed on his man. A few telling blows later, Wineland was able to connect on a hard body shot, dropping Will to the canvas and eventually the referee jumped in, declaring Wineland the winner. The victory also earned the New Breed product a “Knockout of the Night” award for his efforts.

With an impressive performance for Eddie, he will move one step closer towards another shot at his lost bantamweight title, but this time, inside the UFC.

Ken Stone takes on the daunting task of facing a former champion in his debut when he meets with Eddie at WEC 53, which will take place on December 16th at the Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Arizona.

Stone, a 9-1 bantamweight who trains with the famed American Top Team, resides out of Braintree, Mass. Ken has alternated most of his wins with either a submission or knockout victory, having win 4 with superior hands and five with his ground prowess. Before besting Jason Bennett last October with a guillotine choke, Stone lost for the first and so far only time in his career against Jason McLean in June of 2009, by split-decision.

MMAJunkie.com first reported the match up.

So, MMA peeps, what do you make of this match up? Will Wineland’s superior hands prevail, or will Ken record his tenth victory with a potential win over the former title holder? Sound off in the comment section below.