|
|
Friday, June 26, 2009
Varner Responds To Cerrone, Picks Henderson
 Donald Cerrone left little to the imagination regarding his feelings for lightweight champion Jamie Varner and the hand injury that's keeping him from defending his title in September.
"Maybe Varner will come back in 2010 to unify the belt," he said. "But they might have to break his arm off and get him a new one. Can I add that Jaime Varner is a (expletive)?”
Varner wasn't too happy about that when contacted by MMAInsider.
"This (expletive) kicked his ass for five rounds with a broken hand and a broken foot," snapped Varner. "So I'm glad we're resorting to name-calling, you can tell he comes from an educated family. He definitely solidified himself as a true hillbilly. A classless hillbilly. And I look forward to stomping his face in again."
Varner said he will release x-ray images of his damaged hand next week. At the moment, there is no concrete timetable for his return.
As for the match-up that would determine the next challenger to his belt, an likely interim title bout between Cerrone and Ben Henderson, Varner went with his Arizona brethren.
"I think it's going to be a great fight, but I see Ben Henderson winning that one," he said. "Cerrone is just too easy to take down, and Henderson's a pretty decent wrestler. He's still a good wrestler, very explosive. He's also got great jiu-jitsu, trained with Alvin Robinson. He's a southpaw, so the fact that Cowboy likes to use his left leg kicks a lot, really aren't going to help him too much against that southpaw. I just see him getting taken down and ground out for a three-round decision."Labels: Ben Henderson, Donald Cerrone, Jamie Varner, WEC 43
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 2:59 PM
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
WEC Champ Varner Returning for More Hand Surgery
 It appears that WEC lightweight champion Jamie Varner has suffered another setback in recovering from injuries stemming from his Jan. 25 bout against Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone.
Apparently, his right index finger healed at a bad angle - 30 degrees - so he will go back in for a second surgery on his right hand, according to a report by MMAMadness.com.
The second surgery is scheduled for April 20. Varner will have a piece of bone removed and a steel plate and screws will be inserted in an attempt to correct the problem.
The procedure is expected to add at least another month to his return to the ring.Labels: Donald Cerrone, Jamie Varner, WEC
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 4:00 PM
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Bartimus Could Be In Line For Title Shot With Win
 As the WEC event in Corpus Christi, TX fast approaches, Bart "Bartimus" Palaszewski is focused and ready to face tough lightweight competitor, Richard Crunkilton.
The bout is pivotal in the WEC's growing lightweight division as either fighter could be seen as future contender in the division, but while champion Jamie Varner has said he would be honored to fight the former IFL stand-out it's Palaszewski who is only looking at the fight directly in front of him.
"I'm not looking past Crunkilton right now but I am looking to get in and finish this fight" Bart said on the Suckerpunch Entertainment site. "Of course I’m looking for the KO but if it goes to the ground I may have to show my Team Curran BJJ."
"I want to win this for my teammates and my family who have always supported me, I want to thank my sponsors as well, they have really stepped up for me in this fight and I don’t want to let them down."
With a win, Bart may be in line for the title shot, although many believe that a rematch between Varner and Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone could happen as soon as the champion is cleared to fight again after suffering multiple injuries in their last bout in January.
As for Bartimus, he's ready to get "Crunk" and then he'll worry about his title shot.
Bart Palaszewski will be a special guest tonight on MMAWeekly Radio to talk about the upcoming fight and the future of the WEC's lightweight division. Also UFC newcomer, Ryan "The Lion" Madigan will stop by the show to talk about his fight against Tamdan McCrory at UFC 96.Labels: Bart Palaszewski, Donald Cerrone, Jamie Varner, Rich Crunkilton, WEC
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 10:46 AM
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Could Gilbert Melendez End Up With The WEC?
 The lightweight division is widely regarded as one of, if not the deepest weight class in the world, and every promotion is working to add more top names to their respective rosters.
One big name that could become available following his next fight is former Strikeforce lightweight champion, Gilbert Melendez, who has stated on numerous occasions that he has a single fight left on his current contract and will weigh his options at that time.
But could Melendez be on the WEC's speed dial for a future 155lb contender?
According to lightweight champion, Jamie Varner, he believes the promotion may be looking at Melendez as a viable addition to the roster at some point in the near future.
"There's a couple guys out there that I could rumble with a little bit that the WEC's talking about getting. One of the big names that they're talking about is Gilbert Melendez, who sat in the top ten, in the upper echelon of the top ten in my division for a long time and now he's nowhere to be found," Varner told MMAWeekly Radio recently. "I think he's got one more fight with Strikeforce, and then after that, there's been talk of the WEC getting him."
Varner says he's ready for the top ten challenges that will get him the recognition he's been working for so long.
His first challenge is of course coming up against Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone, but after that Varner is open to whatever happens next.
"I may have to fight a Bart Palaszewski or a Richard Crunkilton, but then who knows, maybe I will get a shot at a top ten guy."Labels: Donald Cerrone, Gilbert Melendez, Jamie Varner, WEC
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 5:52 PM
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Jamie Varner vs. Donald Cerrone WEC 38 Video Promo
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 11:46 AM
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
WEC 38 Official - Faber Returns, Varner Defends in San Diego
 PRESS RELEASE:
Las Vegas, NV (USA) – World Extreme Cagefighting® today announced that for the first event of 2009, the cage will head west to the hotbed of mixed martial arts - California - to hold the first ever WEC® event in San Diego. Two blockbuster matchups will lead the main card, with the World Lightweight Championship fight between Jamie Varner and undefeated Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone as the main event, and the mega-rematch pitting Urijah Faber against Jens Pulver in the co-main event. World Extreme Cagefighting, featuring Varner vs. Cerrone and Faber vs. Pulver 2, takes place live from the San Diego Sports Arena on Sunday, January 25, 2009.
World Extreme Cagefighting will be televised live nationally on VERSUS beginning at 9:30 pm ET/6:30 pm PT. All live WEC events will be presented in Hi-Definition (HD) where available. For more information and how to find VERSUS in your local viewing area, visit http://www.versus.com/findversus.
Tickets for World Extreme Cagefighting go on sale at 10 a.m. PT Thursday, Dec. 4 and will be priced at $175, $125, $75 and $35 (not including applicable services or taxes). Tickets will be available for purchase through the San Diego Sports Arena Box Office, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster at 619-220-8497.
Don't blink when WEC lightweight champion Jamie Varner (15-2, 1 NC) meets up with No. 1 contender Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone (9-0, 1 NC). Varner has finished his last four opponents, and now the Tempe, Arizona fighter will face his greatest test in the red hot Cerrone.
"I have a lot of respect for Cerrone, but I consider him just one more undefeated fighter that I have to put in his place," said Varner. "I think it's awesome to have this fight in Southern California; there is a huge MMA following there, so I think this event will be huge, and a big step for the growth of WEC."
Undefeated lightweight contender Cerrone ( 9-0,1 No Contest) is one fight away from securing his place as the new champion of the WEC, and he plans on doing everything in his power to get there. The Albuquerque, New Mexico trained mixed martial artist, who is known for his relentless stand-up attack and equally effective ground game, most recently scored a Fight of the Night win against world class striker and former champ "Razor" Rob McCullough.
"I'm excited for the opportunity to fight for the title, and to take on Jamie Varner," said Cerrone. "He's well rounded and very athletic, but I'm going to work hard in training camp and on my game plan to win the title. I'm looking forward to fighting in San Diego, and to headline the first WEC event there."
Urijah "The California Kid" Faber (21-2) is the former WEC Featherweight Champion, a title he has owned since March of 2006. Faber was upset by Mike Brown in November, but he is on a mission to reclaim his status as best featherweight fighter in the world. But first, he has to fight his way through a rematch with Jens Pulver. The two first met in June 2008, fighting toe-to-toe in a five round battle that became one of the best WEC fights to date.
"I know this is going to be another classic for the fans," said Faber. "Jens is always ready to fight, he's a competitor, and I expect a tough battle, but I'm going to try to finish it this time - I don't want it to go the distance."
Former UFC® lightweight champion Jens Pulver (22-10-1) looks to rebound from two consecutive losses at the expense of Faber. And with a new team behind him, the 33-year-old with the legendary left hand is refocused and ready to continue on his road back to the top.
"Now that I train with Matt Hume, I'll be doing things a lot differently," Pulver said comparing his first fight with Faber. "Did I show it against Leonard Garcia? No, it takes time. But I know I'm still competitive... Great fights are still in me."
All bouts subject to change. For more information about current WEC fight news, visit www.wec.tv.Labels: Donald Cerrone, Jamie Varner, Jens Pulver, Urijah Faber, WEC 38
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 2:58 AM
Thursday, November 27, 2008
How Fighters Spend Thanksgiving Day
Many of us spend Thanksgiving Day with family watching football and filling our stomachs with excessive amounts of well-prepared food, enjoying time with friends and loved ones. MMAInsiderBlog spoke with several fighters and broadcasters to find out how they'll be spending holiday. And we found out they're just like us.
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight titleholder Chuck Liddell will be spending Thanksgiving at his California home with his family and his fiance's family. The former champ said, "It's usually a pretty good time."
UFC lightweight No. 1 contender Kenny Florian is excited to celebrate Thanksgiving in Boston with family. "The best part of the holiday is I get to eat. I don't have to worry about fights coming up," said Florian. "My family, we do it right. There's a lot of food that's not good for you. I like to get fat through the holidays. I put my winter coat on."
World Extreme Cagefighting lightweight titleholder Jamie Varner will spend the day of football and feast with his immediate family. "I'm going to spend time with my immediate family for Thanksgiving," said the Arizona Combat Sports trained champion. "But I have two workouts that morning and taking the rest of the day off for the family!"
No. 1 ranked bantamweight and WEC bantamweight titleholder Miguel Torres defends his belt against Manny Tapia on Dec. 3, but that isn't going to stop the 135-pound fighter from fully partaking in the assortment of holiday grub. "I'm going to enjoy my Thanksgiving dinner," stated Torres. "My weight is perfect right now...I'm going to eat my tamales, my turkey some rice and potatoes man."
Legendary mixed martial artist and broadcaster Frank Shamrock's holiday plans revolve around his wife and baby daughter (Nicolette). "I'll be staying at home with my wife and new baby," Shamrock told MMAInsiderBlog. "It's the first Thanksgiving for Nicolette. No work for three days and lots of turkey and dressing."
"I was going to spend it with Bill Goldberg," he added. "But too much travel."
Dean Lister faces Yushin Okami at UFC 92 on Dec. 27 in Las Vegas and due to his training schedule and diet, this Thanksgiving will be a little bitter sweet for the middleweight fighter. "I will be in Phoenix to meet up with my family. Going to be a little bit of torture since I will be limited to eating vegetables since my fight at UFC 92 will be only a month away. Gotta watch what I eat around the holidays. But I'm hungrier for Anderson's belt."
Asked what edibles he'll miss the most, Lister quickly responded, "ham and pies."
Broadcaster and fighter Frank Trigg will be spending the holiday at his Las Vegas home with friends, cooking for his wife, Nici, while she watches the Dallas Cowboys game and helps prepare the turkey and vegetables.
"I am cooking. I cook a lot, believe it or not," Trigg told MMAInsiderBlog. "We're all coming over here to the house to have a little home cooked turkey, potatoes and carrots, French green beans. Of course you've got to have gravy and cranberry sauce."
UFC welterweight Tamdan McCrory's Thanksgiving plans are simple. "I'm visiting family then possibly getting drunk on the town with some old homies."
The Ultimate Fighter 7 finalist CB Dollaway will spend Thanksgiving with his girlfriend. "I'm just going over to my girlfriend Gabs' house for the last feast before I have to start trying to get down to 185 . Hope everyone has a great holiday."
UFC welterweight fighter Matt Brown gets to actually enjoy this year's holiday, but plans to immediately get back to the gym on Friday. "I feel like I am extremely fortunate this year in that this is the first Thanksgiving in maybe 3 or 4 years that I am actually able to pig out," commented Brown. "I have been in training camp for fights the past few years so I wasn't able to really tear it up. I am planning on eating a decent amount of food, but I want to be careful not to overdo it as I want to train on Friday."
"I don't have a fight in the near future or anything, but I want to maintain a high level of cardio and stay light and improve as much as possible so that when my next fight comes around you guys see the best Matt Brown you have ever seen. I plan on being in the best shape of my life and being as strong as I have ever been and my skills being as sharp as anybody's in the world," added Brown. "I am now 2-1 in the UFC and the one fight that I lost I felt like I won. I have always been confident in my abilities and always believed that I belong in the UFC, but a lot of people are just simply unfortunate and things just seem to go wrong for them once they get in the octagon. I have been fortunate that this is not the case for me and I feel like in the next 2 years I will be prepared to start making a serious run for the title."
"The point is, this holiday I get to pig out, but it is just one day," continued Brown. "Friday I will be back in the gym and doing everything in my power to improve my skills, cardio, strength, and speed so that I can be the best fighter that I can possibly be. I'll let everyone else get fat. As for me, I will take one day, pig out, and be back at it within 24 hours."
Dale Hartt fights Corey Hill on Dec. 10 at UFC Fight for the Troops. He won't be spending the holiday with is family due to his dedication to fight preparation. "Honestly I thought about driving up to my sponsors guy's house for a real Thanksgiving as I'm 400 miles from home. Pretty much that would be me driving 5 hours to watch people eat, fun. But ultimately I'm pissed no gyms are open as that is my last week of work for Corey Hill. I will probably go for a run on Mt. Charleston and have a small meal."
Tim Boetsch emerged in the UFC light heavyweight division by dismantling David Heath at UFC 81. He has a 2-1 UFC record finishing in each of his wins. Boetsch will spend a portion of the day hunting followed by eating. "I am going to be hunting whitetails all day, then I am going to devour a turkey in the evening," said the 205-pound fighter.
"The Fight Professor," Stephen Quadros, will follow a long tradition he's established for celebrating Thanksgiving. "When I'm in town, I have a long standing tradition of going to my friend Rhonda's for Thanksgiving. She is a record/film company exec. who I have known since the 1970s, yes, before there was MMA on TV. During this time of year, I just resign myself to getting FAT...without guilt. "One more chocolate brownie please." SLuuuuuRP!"
"It's a great time to spend with loved ones and close friends, a time to NOT talk about business...too much, hahaha," added Quadros. "Her son is a pretty rockin' guitar player and wants me to play drums on his album. We'll see... The whole time I'm there, in between eating, drinking, hugging,
kissing, talking, I will have an internal narrative going constantly, planning 2009. I can't wait!"Labels: CB Dollaway, Chuck Liddell, Dale Hartt, Dean Lister, Frank Shamock, Frank Trigg, Jamie Varner, Kenny Florian, Matt Brown, Miguel Torres, Stephen Quadros, Tamdan McCrory, Tim Boetsch
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 3:31 AM
Friday, November 21, 2008
Reminder: Jamie Varner Charity Seminar This Weekend!
World Extreme Cagefighting lightweight champion Jamie Varner is giving back to the Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Toys for Tots, and doing a canned food drive, by holding a charity seminar in Arizona on Saturday, Nov. 22.
The champ spoke to MMAWeekly Radio recently about putting the charity seminar together, and doing something good for his community.
"I wanted to do something for the people here in Arizona to kind of get to know me and people around the nation to get to know me, and see that I’m more than just a fighter and that I have a big heart, a kind heart," Varner stated. "So it’s probably going to end up being a four to six hour seminar, free seminar. It’s going to be 100 percent charity derived."
The seminar will take cash donations, unopened toys and canned goods, to help the above mentioned charities.
To help or contribute please e-mail: info@lgsportsmarketing.com
Information on the seminar:
JAMIE VARNER 1st Annual Charity Seminar
Hosted By: Sunkist Kids
Where: Sunkist Kids Wrestling/ASU Wrestling Room (see below for details)
When: Saturday November 22nd, 2008
Time: 11:00 am
Schedule: You should arrive 30 minutes prior to your sessions start time. There are full locker rooms available (His and Hers) so come prepared or change when you arrive.
11:00-12:15 will be Beginners and Women and Children Self Defense Techniques. Jamie and his instructors will show basic moves and basic self defense techniques.
12:30-2:30 will be intermediate training, Jamie will take you through some moves from the various disciplines he trains (wrestling, boxing, jujitsu, and kick boxing) and him and his team will show you how to apply these techniques into MMA.
Labels: Jamie Varner
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 12:08 AM
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
WEC 36 Spoiler: Fight of the Year? Maybe...
 In what was easily the fight of the undercard at WEC 36 in Hollywood, Fla., Jamie Varner finally found out who he will likely be fighting at the end of January, possibly in San Diego.
Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone and "Razor" Rob McCullough scored FOUR knockdowns between them - two apiece - in the opening round alone... and this fight went the distance!
Cowboy and Razor rocked each other throughout their three minute war, but it Cerrone's reach and speed that put him ahead on more of the exchanges than not, leaving McCullough's face a bloody mess at the end of three rounds.
Cowboy remained undefeated - going the distance for the first time in his MMA career - but it was hardly a boring affair. As he said afterwards, "Rob, thank you very much, that was fun... Whoo!"
Jamie Varner, the current WEC lightweight champ, had to be thinking that the fight was entertaining, but you have to question anyone's sanity that could walk out of that cage thinking the fight was FUN!?
Hat's off to the Cowboy and Razor Rob for one of the best fights of the year thus far!
QUICK NOTE: Reports from one WEC official are that Cerrone broke his hand on the first punch of the fight!
Check out the live results, play-by-play and photos at MMAWeekly.com.Labels: Donald Cerrone, Jamie Varner, Razor Rob McCullough, WEC 36
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 7:49 PM
WEC Champ Jamie Varner's Favorite Fighter? Jens Pulver
 In Hollywood, Fla., for Wednesday night's WEC 36, the promotion's lightweight champion, Jamie Varner, and bantamweight titleholder, Miguel Torres, met with fans for a brief question and answer session before the weigh-ins on Tuesday.
There were several issues discussed, including Varner divulging that he will be fighting the winner of Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone and "Razor" Rob McCullough - who fight at WEC 36 - in late January, possibly in San Diego, according to a report by MMAWeekly.com.
Varner was also asked about who his favorite fighter was and his answer directly relates to the fights at WEC 36. His favorite fighter, Jens Pulver, will be fighting Leonard Garcia at the Hard Rock Live.
Varner holds Pulver in pretty high regard and credits him for getting him into the sport of mixed martial arts. According to Varner:
"My favorite fighter is the guy that got me into this sport and that was Jens Pulver. He was a boxer and a wrestler and I grew up boxing... I would say that he was probably like my mentor coming into this sport. He was the guy I looked up to; he was my favorite fighter. I would say that he was probably my biggest influence in coming into this sport."Labels: Jamie Varner, Jens Pulver, WEC
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 1:36 PM
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Carlos Condit Seeks Combat in Arizona
 Jamie Varner. C.B. Dollaway. Ryan Bader. Aaron Simpson. Jesse Forbes. The list of top fighters at the popular Southwest camp Arizona Combat Sports is among the best in all of mixed martial arts - with a WEC champion and Ultimate Fighter alums - and the team may soon add another champion to their roster of fighters.
World Extreme Cagefighting welterweight champion Carlos Condit has begun to make the trip to Arizona to work with the world class team, led by trainers Todd and Trevor Lally, to help pick up his training and sparring as he gets ready for his next title defense.
While the move is still just a part time trip for Condit as of right now, WEC lightweight champion Jamie Varner is excited to have a fighter like that to work with everyday.
"It's turning into a super-gym especially with Condit," Varner said recently about Arizona Combat Sports. "Me and Condit we were rolling, he sees my intensity, I see his intensity, and we were both telling each other our sparring sessions are going to be nuts. Cause neither one of us are going to give up, we both just don't know when to quit, we go hard 100% the whole time. Somebody's going to have to get dragged out of there."
Both fighters are currently waiting for a fight to be scheduled, but Condit will surely benefit from the training that will be provided from the camp at Arizona Combat Sports.Labels: Arizona Combat Sports, C.B. Dollaway, Carlos Condit, Jamie Varner, Ryan Bader, Ultimate Fighter, WEC
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 12:08 PM
Copyright 2009 MMA Weekly LLC. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of MMA Weekly content is expressly prohibited without expressed written consent of MMA Weekly. MMA Weekly will not be liable for any errors in content or any action taken in reliance thereof.
|
|
|
|
MMA Insider Blog RSS Feed
