WEC:

Cerrone vs. Ratcliff announced for Dec. 19 in Las Vegas

WEC announces lightweight matchup

Courtesy WEC

Ben Henderson, left, takes a shot from Donald Cerrone during their WEC interim lightweight championship bout Saturday Oct. 10, 2009 in San Antonio. Henderson defeated Cerrone by unanimous decision but suffered a severe eye injury in the process.

By Brett Okamoto (contact)

Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009 | 4:20 p.m.

The WEC officially announced today its main event matchup between lightweights Donald Cerrone and Ed Ratcliff at The Palms on Dec. 19.

The organization was already scheduled to make a Las Vegas appearance before the new year with a Nov. 18 featherweight title fight between Mike Brown and Jose Aldo at The Palms.

With the addition of the December card, which includes a co-main event between Las Vegas-based fighter Anthony Njokuani and Chris Horodecki, WEC general manager Reed Harris said Las Vegas will serve as host to the remainder of the year’s top lighter-weight fights.

“Four of our top lightweights are going to be competing on Dec. 19, each with his sights set on securing a coveted shot at the world title,” said Harris in a released statement. “Cerrone vs. Ratcliff has the potential to be an explosive standup war. We can expect much of the same from Njokuani and Horodecki.

“This is the perfect holiday gift for fans.”

The WEC lightweight division is already set, barring injury, in terms of a title fight.

Ben Henderson became the lightweight interim champion with a unanimous decision win over Cerrone earlier this month and will take on champion Jamie Varner, who has been sidelined with an injury since January. That fight will likely take place early 2010.

After facing a talented wrestler in his last fight in Henderson, Cerrone sounded excited to stand and trade with the more striking-oriented Ratcliff.

“I just have to whip Ed’s tail,” Cerrone said. “He’s a one-dimensional fighter. He’s not going to take me down and try to wrestle me. He’s going to try to beat me at my game, which is striking. I hope he’s ready, I want to work my way back to a shot at the belt.”

The WEC also announced a bantamweight bout between Joseph Benavidez and Rani Yahya.

Las Vegas was already the scene of one of the biggest shakeups to WEC hierarchy this year, as Brian Bowles took the bantamweight title from Miguel Torres with a first-round TKO win here on Aug. 9.

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

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