WEC Features Fine Fighters: Varner, Henderson, Brown, Faber

Share on Facebook posted 01-10-10 by John George

Tomorrow night’s World Extreme Cagefighting event showcases some of the world’s top fighters in the lightest weight classes. The event, to be broadcast on Spike from Sacramento, Calif., will feature main bout that will unify the WEC’s lightweight division, as well as two bouts that include former WEC featherweight champs who are still among the top fighters in the world at 145 pounds.

Lightweight champ Jamie Varner (16-2-0) will take on interim champ Benson “Smooth” Henderson (10-1-0) in a scheduled five round championship bout. Varner has not fought since January 2009, when he defeated Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in a controversial split technical decision triggered when the fight was stopped and went to the scorecards after Cerrone hit Varner with an illegal knee. Varner was hurt badly enough in that match to require him to essentially take the year off from fighting.

Henderson also defeated Cerrone, winning a unanimous decision in October 2009 and taking the interim lightweight title in the process. During that fight, Henderson showed he is an excellent wrestler with outstanding submission defense. He is very athletic and has tremendous endurance.

The question is whether Henderson will be able to deal with Varner’s strikes, which are truly dangerous. Varner got technical knockout wins over some very tough fighters, including Marcus Hicks, Rob McCullough and Sherron Leggett. Varner’s also a threat on the ground, having finished off nine of his opponents via submission.

Another factor that also needs to be considered is Varner’s long layoff from the cage. A year without being in a real fight is a long time for a champ, and there is bound to be some ring rust that will affect his performance.

If he’s had a good training camp and isn’t too rusty, I think Varner can win if he can keep Henderson from taking him down. By keeping it standing, I say he’d be likely to get a knockout in the second or third round.

If Henderson can get Varner down and keep him down, he’s got a chance to grind out a decision. He may get lucky and submit Varner, but I think that’s a long shot, given Varner’s experience and skills.

In addition to being good fighters, both men are also good sports, and both are worth rooting for. Varner sometimes comes off as a bit more arrogant than Henderson, but he’s not too bad. I wish them both luck.

If I had to lay money down, I’d put it on Varner. But I wouldn’t do it with a lot of confidence. There are a lot of unanswered questions when you’re talking about a fighter who’s been out of the cage for a year. I’m glad I don’t have to bet on this one. I’m just going to kick back, watch and have fun.

Brown Takes on ‘Cheesesteak’

Former featherweight champion Mike Thomas Brown (22-5-0) will take on WEC newcomer Anthony “Cheesesteak” Morrison (15-7-0). Brown is a tremendously powerful wrestler and striker who earned two decisive wins over Urijah Faber, one by first-round knockout and the other in a clear five-round decision victory. Faber had seemed invincible until Brown got to him.

Brown lost his belt in a second-round knockout loss in November to super-slick Brazilian fighter Jose Aldo. Aldo looked tremendous against Brown, who seemed unprepared for Aldo’s skill level. This fight against Morrison will show if Brown has learned from his loss and is able to rebound, or whether Aldo managed to the wind out of his sails.

Morrison has fought in a number of smaller MMA promotions, including Ring of Fire, World Cagefighting Alliance and Shine. Most of his losses have come by submission, and his wins have mostly consisted of knockouts and decisions. I’ve never watched him fight, but judging from his record, Brown will be a major step up in class for him.

Brown has proved he really is one of the best fighters at 145 pounds. I’m not sure why the WEC is throwing in a fighter who hasn’t really proven himself yet at the highest levels. If the Cheesesteak can defeat Brown, he’ll have pulled off a major upset. I don’t think he’ll be able to do it.

‘The California Kid’ vs. Assuncao

Urijah “The California Kid” Faber (22-3-0) was the most dominant WEC featherweight fighter until his losses to Brown. He’s a phenomenally gifted athlete who has virtually no holes in his game. He’s a tremendous wrestler with unbelievable takedowns and the power in his fists to finish his opponents once he gets them to the ground. He does great work in the clinch with his knees and elbows. He’s got great punches and kicks. He’s really difficult to submit. He’s the real deal.

Faber will be facing Raphael Assuncao (14-1-0), a Brazilian-born fighter who has fought twice before in the WEC. Most of Assuncao’s wins have come by submission, and he’s never faced anyone nearly as tough as Faber. I don’t think he has a chance. I think The California Kid will ground and pound him out either in the first or second round.