WEC announces Varner vs. Henderson for Jan. 10

Courtesy of WEC

Jamie Varner (left) throws a right hook to Marcus Hicks during their WEC lightweight bout on Aug. 3, 2008 in Las Vegas. Varner won the fight by TKO in the first round.

By Brett Okamoto (contact)

Monday, Nov. 2, 2009 | 2:33 p.m.

Courtesy WEC

Ben Henderson celebrates after defeating Donald Cerrone during their WEC interim lightweight championship bout Saturday Oct. 10, 2009 in San Antonio.

The WEC announced via its twitter account today that the lightweight title fight between Jamie Varner and Ben Henderson has been scheduled for Jan. 10 at the ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Calif.

The event will also feature a co-main event between featherweights Urijah Faber (22-3) and Raphael Assuncao (14-1).

The twitter post read: 'Big News! Jan. 10 @arcoarena. Lightweight title fight @jamievarner vs. @smoothone155 (Henderson). Plus @urijahfaber vs. Assuncao. Details at wec.tv soon.'

"ARCO Arena is one of our favorite venues to bring fights, the fans in Sacramento are some of the best," said WEC general manager Reed Harris in a released statement. "The world title bout between Varner and Henderson is a perfect way to start off the New Year. The title fight, plus the return of Urijah, makes this an instant winter classic."

Henderson (10-1) became the interim lightweight title champion with a unanimous decision win over Donald Cerrone on Oct. 10 in San Antonio. An eye injury sustained by Henderson in the final minute of that contest put the title fight with the defending champion Varner on hold. However, Henderson was cleared to resume training last week.

"The swelling in the eye is from behind the iris, but he is cleared to grapple and cardio. About one more week for striking," said Henderson's manager Jason Genet in a Oct. 26 email.

Varner (16-2-2) has been sidelined by injuries he sustained in his last fight, a split decision win over Cerrone in January.

"He's a tough dude, but I'm the champion for a reason," Varner said. "I have nothing but confidence going into this fight. I don't think Ben poses any challenges or threats that I haven't seen before."

News of the event follows on the heels of the one made last week by the WEC, announcing the addition of a Dec. 19 card to its schedule which will feature a main event of Cerrone vs. Ed Ratcliff at The Palms.

Brett Okamoto can be reached at 948-7817 or brett.okamoto@lasvegassun.com.