MMA News and Fight Videos

Jamie Varner is set to take on Donald “Coyboy” Cerrone at WEC 38.

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Jamie Varner is set to take on Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone at WEC 38.

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Jamie Varner is set to take on Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone at WEC 38.

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“The winner of this fight is just another guy in my way.”

WEC Lightweight Champion Jamie Varner hinted earlier this week that the winner of last night’s 155-pound showdown between former champion “Razor” Rob McCullough and star in the making Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone could determine the next contender for his crown at a tentatively scheduled January 25 event in San Diego, California.

There has been no confirmation from the WEC, but since Cerrone emerged victorious from the fight he now seems like the most logical selection for the next challenger to Varner’s division crown.

The Team Greg Jackson trainee put a beating on the former champ for three full rounds and looked to be on his way to a stoppage on more than one occasion before finally pulling out the decision. To his credit, “Razor” Rob was a game opponent and stayed competitive throughout the contest, but all eyes were on Donald Cerrone following the WEC 36 “Fight of the Night.”

“Cowboy” was featured on the fourth episode of season one of the “Tapout” reality series — a show that features up and coming fighters. The episode was titled “The Search Continues” and originally aired on August 1, 2007.

He tested positive for hydrochlorothiazide — a dietary supplement that acts by inhibiting the kidneys’ ability to retain water — following a 54-second victory over Kenneth Alexander in his WEC debut last September. It was later overturned to a no contest by the athletic commission.

The no contest remains the only blemish on Cerrone’s otherwise impressive resume. He has a record of (9-0) thus far in his career, having won all three fights under the WEC banner. The decision win over McCullough last night was the first time in his career he had been taken past the second round.

He’s young at only 25-years-old and relatively inexperienced with only nine career mixed martial arts fights. But “Cowboy” — who was also an accomplished Muay Thai specialist before transitioning to the sport — is as worthy a number one contender as there is in the WEC right now.

Make no mistake, he’s a legitimate threat to Jamie Varner if the two do indeed lock horns in January.

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Jamie Varner vs Marcus Hicks - WEC 35 Video
[See post to watch Flash video]

WEC 35 from the “The Joint” at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, on August 3 has come to a close. And there was no shortage or exciting fights or bonus-worthy finishes.

Similar to the UFC, the Zuffa-based WEC promotion often passes out awards for “Fight of the Night,” “Submission of the Night” and “Knockout of the Night” after each event.

Sunday was no different — the promotion rewarded several participants on the card for their performances. In fact, in a rare move two of the three title bouts on the card received “Fight of the Night” honors, according to MMAWeekly.com.

Here’s the list of fighters who earned some cold hard cash for their outstanding performances at WEC 35:

Fight of the Night: Carlos Condit vs. Hiromitsu Miura and Jamie Varner vs. Marcus Hicks
Knockout of the Night: Brock Larson
Submission of the Night: Brian Bowles

Each fighter received $7,500 for their efforts in addition to their respective base salaries, which you can check out right here. Not a bad cherry on top, but a far cry from the usual $40,000 to $75,000 dished out for bonuses at UFC events.

For those who missed it, Bowles’ guillotine came out of nowhere. It looked like he was going to get slammed by Damacio Page; however, in mid air he secured the choke, which was impressive enough to win submission of the night over the other two under card matches that ended with a tapouts.

A very explosive 37-second knockout from Brock Larson will not only earn him some extra scratch, but this impressive win should get him back in line for a shot at Condit’s title. It appears either Larson or a rematch with Miura is up next for Condit … there aren’t too many other options.

Either way, it should be another great welterweight title fight for the WEC.

For complete WEC 35 results and blow-by-blow coverage of the main card action click here and here.

Jamie Varner is a wall walker (in my best “Staff Sergeant Barnes” voice):

WEC 35 Payouts have been released by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), Carlos Condit earns top billing with 22k fight/22k win payout. Here’s the numbers:

Carlos Condit: $44,000 (includes $22,000 win bonus)
def. Hiromitsu Miura: $5,000

Steve Cantwell: $10,000 ($5,000 win bonus)
def. Brian Stann: $11,000

Jamie Varner: $30,000 ($15,000 win bonus)
def. Marcus Hicks: $16,000

Brian Bowles: $8,000 ($4,000 win bonus)
def. Damacio Page: $6,000

Josh Grispi: $8,000 ($4,000 win bonus)
def. Micah Miller: $5,000

Brock Larson: $30,000 ($15,000 win bonus)
def. Carlo Prater: $7,000

Blas Avena: $12,000 ($6,000 win bonus)
def. Dave Terrel: $3,000

Shane Roller: $12,00O ($6,000 win bonus)
def. Todd Moore: $4000

Mike Budnik: $6,000 ($3,000 win bonus)
def. Greg McIntyre: $2,000

Scott Jorgensen: $6,000 ($3,000 win bonus)
def. Kenji Osawa: $5,000

Total Payout: $230,000

TG: TheJunkie

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WEC 35: Stann vs. Cantwell is set to take place this Sunday Aug 3. from the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. The show gets underway at 9pm EST live on Versus.

CageToday.com will have WEC 35 Results live starting at 7pm EST.

MAIN CARD

• Carlos Condit vs. Hiromitsu Miura (T)
• Brian Stann vs. Steve Cantwell (T)
• Jamie Varner vs. Marcus Hicks (T)
• Brian Bowles vs. Damacio Page
• Josh Grispi vs. Micah Miller

PRELIMINARY CARD

• Brock Larson vs. Carlo Prater
  Result:
• Blas Avena vs. Dave Terrel
  Result:
• Shane Roller vs. Todd Moore
  Result:
• Mike Budnik vs. Greg McIntyre
  Result: Mike Budnik defeats Greg McIntyre by Submission (Triangle Choke) at of R3.
• Scott Jorgensen vs. Kenji Osawa
  Result: Scott Jorgensen defeats Kenji Osawa by Unanimous Decision. (30-27 x3)

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