WEC 38: Varner vs. Cerrone was a mixed martial arts event held by World Extreme Cagefighting on January 25, 2009. It aired live on the Versus Network. In the main event, WEC Lightweight Champion Jamie Varner defended his title against undefeated top contender Donald Cerrone.
Background Featured on the card was a rematch between former WEC Featherweight Champion Urijah Faber and Jens Pulver. Faber was originally lined up to face José Aldo at this event, but Aldo was replaced by Pulver. Aldo was instead moved to a bout with the debuting Fredson Paixao at this event, though Paixao was later replaced by WEC newcomer Rolando Perez due to an injury. The Faber/Aldo matchup would eventually take place at WEC 48 the following year, where Aldo defended his then-WEC Featherweight Championship in a unanimous decision victory.
Ed Ratcliff was originally slated to face WEC newcomer Anthony Njokuani at this event, but was forced from the bout with an injury and replaced by the debuting Ben Henderson.
The event drew an estimated 702,000 viewers on Versus.
Results
Bonus awards Fighters were awarded $7,500 bonuses.
Fight of the Night: Jamie Varner vs. Donald Cerrone Knockout of the Night: José Aldo Submission of the Night: Urijah Faber
Reported payouts The following is the reported payout to the fighters as reported to the California State Athletic Commission. It does not include sponsor money or "locker room" bonuses often given by the WEC and also do not include the WEC's traditional "fight night" bonuses. Jamie Varner: $34,000 (includes $17,000 win bonus) def. Donald Cerrone: $9,000 Urijah Faber: $48,000 (includes $24,000 win bonus) def. Jens Pulver: $35,000 Danillo Villefort: $8,000 (includes $4,000 win bonus) def. Mike Campbell: $3,000 José Aldo: $10,000 (includes $5,000 win bonus) def. Rolando Perez: $3,000 Benson Henderson: $5,000 (includes $2,000 win bonus) def. Anthony Njokuani: $2,000 Edgar Garcia: $6,000 (includes $3,000 win bonus) def. Hiromitsu Miura: $6,000 Dominick Cruz: $8,000 (includes $4,000 win bonus) def. Ian McCall: $3,000 Scott Jorgensen: $8,000 ($includes $4,000 win bonus) def. Frank Gomez: $2,000 Jesse Lennox: $4,000 (includes $2,000 win bonus) def. Blas Avena: $7,000 Charlie Valencia: $14,000 (includes $7,000 win bonus) def. Seth Dikun: $2,000
See also World Extreme Cagefighting List of World Extreme Cagefighting champions List of WEC events 2009 in WEC
External links Official WEC website
References