Skip to main content

Varner already looking to 2009

  • Author:
  • Publish date:
varner.jpg

World Extreme Cagefighting lightweight champion Jamie Varner showed once again why he is considered one of the elite 155-pound fighters in the world when he dispatched of top contender Marcus Hicks at WEC 35.

The now defending champion has been very happy with his home in the WEC and looks forward to any top challenger they bring in to fight him for his title.

"I love my home in the WEC and would not rather be in any other organization," said Varner during a recent appearance on MMAWeekly Radio. "I'm not too worried about the lack of opponents or opposition in the WEC. They're always going to find somebody for me to fight and people want to be in that organization. I'm so proud to be a part of the WEC."

The next opponent for Varner will likely be crowned on Sept. 10 as the WEC travels across the country to Florida where former champion "Razor" RobMcCullough faces off against undefeated Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone.

Both fighters are working very hard at earning a shot at Varner's title, and while the champ has nothing but respect for Cerrone, it's McCullough that he's gunning for.

"I want Rob to win, I really want Rob to win. I like Donald Cerrone, he's a great fighter. I'd like to fight both of them, but I've just got a bone to pick with Rob," Varner commented.

"I just didn't like the way him and his camp handled everything after our fight, like post-fight they just made a lot of excuses. I felt like you win like a man, you lose like a man, and I just felt like he made a lot of excuses."

Because of the timing of the McCullough-Cerrone fight, Varner isn't sure he'll get a chance to fight again in 2008.

Don't worry though, as the champ will stay busy competing in grappling tournaments and training fighters at his home camp, Arizona Combat Sports, just to keep his competitive edge.