Las Vegas, NV (USA) – One of the sport’s pound-for-pound elite returns this fall to defend his title against one of the division’s most dangerous fighters. Featherweight champion Jose Aldo, universally recognized as the number one ranked lighter weight fighter in MMA, makes the second defense of his crown against judo ace Manny Gamburyan when World Extreme Cagefighting® invades the 1STBANK Center in Broomfield, Colo. on Thursday, Sept. 30.

WEC follows the lead of its sister company, the Ultimate Fighting Championship®, which has put on two successful events in Broomfield in recent years.

In addition to the featherweight title fight, WEC General Manager Reed Harris confirmed today that Denver native Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone will meet former lightweight champion Jamie Varner in a long-awaited grudge match. Plus, former bantamweight champion Miguel Angel Torres returns to the cage to take on the red-hot Charlie Valencia. If those fights weren’t enough, Sept. 30 also features featherweight bouts pitting Leonard Garcia vs. Mark Hominick and “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung vs. George Roop.

“From top to bottom, this card is stacked with Fight of the Year-caliber matchups,” Harris said. “In addition to having a title fight, a grudge match, and a bantamweight war, this card features warriors like Garcia, Hominick, and ‘The Korean Zombie.’ These guys have all been in some of the most memorable fights in WEC history. Now, they have a chance to put on epic fights in front of the great Colorado fans.”

Tickets for WEC: Aldo vs. Gamburyan go on sale Saturday, July 31 at 10 a.m. MT and will be priced at $185, $135, $75, and $40. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to WEC newsletter subscribers on Thursday, July 29 starting at 10 a.m. MT. To access this presale, users must register for the WEC newsletter through wec.tv. Tickets will be available online at www.TicketHorse.com or by phone at 866.461.6556. TicketHorse kiosks are also located at all Colorado Dick’s Sporting Goods Stores (credit cards only). In addition, tickets are also available at 1STBANK Center Box Office on July 30 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. MT or at Pepsi Center during normal box office hours.

WEC: Aldo vs. Gamburyan will be televised nationally live on VERSUS beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. All of the network’s live WEC events are presented in HD and Spanish language SAP where available. For more information and how to find VERSUS in your local viewing area, visit http://www.versus.com/findversus.

Ranked as one of the top three pound-for-pound fighters in the sport, featherweight champion Jose Aldo (fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) is unbeaten at 7-0 in WEC and on course to become the most dominant 145-pounder ever. Fresh off a dominant performance over former division kingpin Urijah Faber in April, the 23-year-old knockout sensation Aldo (17-1) has his sights set on his 10th consecutive victory.

“I’m excited to fight Manny Gamburyan, who is a really good fighter,” Aldo said. “I know that he has good judo and punching power, but I expect to knock him out. He’s not taking my belt.”

Unbeaten at 3-0 since dropping to featherweight last year, Manny Gamburyan (fighting out of Hollywood, Calif.) stunned many observers in April by knocking out former champion Mike Brown. The win earned the Armenian judo practitioner a shot at Aldo, and more importantly, the opportunity to realize a lifelong dream. With a world title in his crosshairs, Gamburyan (13-5) expects to shock the world when he meets the Brazilian champion in Colorado.

“I feel blessed to have this opportunity,” Gamburyan said. “This is a fight featuring the number one and number two fighters in the world in this division, so there are no secrets to my game plan. I’ve gotta’ bring my ‘A’ game. I have to be in top-notch shape, I’ve got to have good standup, ground and wrestling. Everything has to be perfect. I think he’s a great fighter and I respect him as a champion, but I fight to destroy. It’s my time and I’ve got to shine.”

Ask Donald Cerrone (fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M) which fight he’d like the most and he’d undoubtedly tell you that it’s a rematch with former world champion Jamie Varner. Since their first fight in Jan. 2009 ended in a controversial decision loss for Cerrone – a loss than came when Varner was struck with an illegal knee and could not continue – the Denver-born fighter has made no qualms about his desire to get back inside the cage with Varner. Now, on Sept. 30, “Cowboy” gets his wish and he gets it in his backyard of Colorado.

“I’ve wanted this fight for a long time,” Cerrone (11-3, 1 NC) said. “There’s definitely bad blood there. Jamie is definitely the perfect fight for me to get motivated and come back stronger than ever. Plus, I’ve never lost in Broomfield and I have a lot of support there. It will be good to feel that energy and fight Jamie Varner in Colorado.”

One of the most division’s most talented athletes, Jamie Varner (fighting out of Tempe, Ariz.) is on a quest to reclaim the WEC lightweight title. After battling unbeaten Kamal Shalorus to a draw in June, the 25-year-old Varner (16-3-3, 2 NC) has his sights set on a rematch with Cerrone and the opportunity to silence the former pro bull rider once and for all.

“This Cerrone fight has been a question mark in my career and everybody has question marks in their life,” Varner said. “So this fight is the opportunity to turn that question mark into a period or an exclamation mark. This is a good opportunity to shut him up and silence the critics and let them see that I’m the real deal.”

Once the most dominant bantamweight on the planet, Miguel Angel Torres (fighting out of East Chicago, Ind.) believes he has recaptured the formula that led him to becoming world champion. Fueled by a new training regimen that includes refining his aggressive striking and high-level jiu jitsu, the 29-year-old Torres (36-3) is as motivated as ever and hopes to prove that point on Sept. 30 when he locks horns with Valencia.

“Charlie is tough and he’s been around a long time like me,” Torres, a Carlson Gracie black belt, said. “I can’t underestimate him, but I match up well with him in all areas of the game. I’m looking to make a statement with this fight and I have to show everybody that I haven’t gone anywhere. I’m still here and I’m dangerous. I’m not looking to just beat Charlie. I want to put him out”

Riding consecutive victories over Seth Dikun, Ox Wheeler, and Akitoshi Tamura, Charlie Valencia (fighting out of Ontario, Calif.) is knocking on the doorstep of world title contention. As the explosive 35-year-old gears up for his biggest fight to date against Torres, Valencia (12-5) predicts one of the year’s best fights.

“I’m usually the underdog and I relish that role,” Valencia said. “In MMA, anything can happen. I’m out there to win and put on exciting fights. I respect him for what he’s done for the bantamweight division. I expect this fight to be fast-paced and entertaining.”

Sept. 30 also marks the return of Leonard Garcia and Chan Sung Jung, who waged war against one another in the “Fight of the Decade” in April. Garcia (fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) heads to Broomfield to take on Canadian star Mark Hominick (fighting out of Thamesford, Ontario, Canada), who had his own epic clash in June with long-time rival Yves Jabouin. Meanwhile fan favorite “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung (fighting out of Seoul, South Korea) looks to leave Colorado buzzing when he locks horns with gritty featherweight George Roop (fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.).

Remaining bouts for WEC: Aldo vs. Gamburyan will be announced at a later date. For more information, visit www.wec.tv. Follow WEC at http://twitter.com/WEConVERSUS.

One of the sport's pound-for-pound elite returns this fall to defend his title against one of the division's most dangerous fighters. Featherweight champion Jose Aldo, universally recognized as the number one ranked lighter weight fighter in MMA, makes the second defense of his crown against judo ace Manny Gamburyan when World Extreme Cagefighting® invades the 1STBANK Center in Broomfield, Colo. on Thursday, Sept. 30.

Weigh-ins for World Extreme Cagefighting's next show, "WEC 50: Cruz vs. Benavidez," take place Tuesday, Aug. 17.

The Key West Ballroom at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas plays host to the festivities, which are free and open to the public.

Among those weighing in are WEC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz and main-event title challenger Joseph Benavidez, as well as lightweight co-headliners Anthony Pettis and Shane Roller.

Well, if 45 bucks was too steep for you, how about $12.99?

That's what it will run you to pick up a DVD copy of the epic WEC 48
pay-per-view event that featured Jose Aldo vs. Urijah Faber headlining a
card that many MMA observers consider among the most entertaining of
all time.

And unlike the live event, which had no branding, the DVD, which hits
retailers' shelves today, has two: both the Ultimate Fighting
Championship and World Extreme Cagefighting.

World Extreme Cagefighting makes its Canadian debut with tonight's WEC 49 event at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta.

Be sure to follow along with the latest card updates in our WEC 49 live-results post, and then discuss
the event in the comments
section below.

We'll provide live event updates from the night's
preliminary card beginning at approximately 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT)
and the night's Versus-televised main card at 9 p.m. ET.

The next installment of the World Extreme Cagefighting’s next event, “WEC 49: Varner vs. Shalorus” is set to begin at 7PM EST (4PM PST).

The preliminary card begins at 7PM with the live Versus broadcast beginning at 9PM EST (6PM PST) from Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

The show features a lightweight battle between former champ Jamie Varner and Kamal Shalorus. Co-headlining the show will be a featherweight bout between Canadians Mark Hominick and Yves Jabouin.

The MMA News will keep the “Live Quick Results” for WEC 49 off the main page to prevent any spoilers for anyone who may be recording the event for later. To see the full results click

The full results for “WEC 49: Varner vs. Shalorus” is as follows:

Main Card

Lightweight bout: Jamie Varner draws Kamal Shalorus (29-27, 27-29, 28-28)
Featherweight bout: Mark Hominick def. Yves Jabouin via TKO (strikes) – R2, 3:21
Featherweight bout: Josh Grispi def. L.C. Davis via submission (guillotine choke) – R1, 2:33
Lightweight bout: Chris Horodecki def. Danny Downes via submission (rear naked choke) – R3, 1:09
Bantamweight bout: Eddie Wineland def. Will Campuzano via TKO (strikes) – R2, 4:44

Preliminary Card

Lightweight bout: Will Kerr def. Karen Darabedyan by submission (armbar) – R1, 1:20
Bantamweight bout: Wagnney Fabiano def. Frankie Gomez by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Featherweight bout: Eric Koch def. Bendy Casimir via submission (triangle choke) – R1, 3:01
Featherweight bout: Diego Nunes def. Rafael Assuncao via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
Bantamweight bout: Chris Cariaso def. Rafael Rebello via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-28)
143 pound catchweight bout: Renan Barao def. Anthony Leone via submission (armbar) – R3, 2:29

The weigh-ins for the World Extreme Cagefighting’s next event, “WEC 49: Varner vs. Shalorus” will take place today at 7 PM EST (4 PM PST).

The weigh-ins are taking place at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, the same venue for Sunday’s event. The main card will be carried on the Versus network live beginning Sunday night.

Fans can watch today’s weigh-ins live at WEC.tv, which hosts a live video stream that can be viewed by anyone with a fast enough internet connection (isn’t that all of us by now?).

The event is headlined by a lightweight bout between former WEC champ Jamie Varner who takes on the “Prince of Persia” Kamal Shalorus.

The full “WEC 49: Varner vs. Shalorus” card appears as follows:

Main Card

Lightweight bout: Kamal Shalorus (155) vs. Jamie Varner (156)
Featherweight bout Mark Hominick (144.5) vs. Yves Jabouin (145)
Featherweight bout: L.C. Davis (146) vs. Josh Grispi (145)
Lightweight bout: Danny Downes (156) vs. Chris Horodecki (154)
Bantamweight bout: Will Campuzano (136) vs. Eddie Wineland (135.5)

Preliminary Card

Lightweight bout: Karen Darabedyan (155.6) vs. Will Kerr (155)
Bantamweight bout: Wagnney Fabiano (135.5) vs. Frank Gomez (135.5)
Featherweight bout: Bendy Casimir (145.5) vs. Erik Koch (145.5)
Featherweight bout: Rafael Assuncao (144.5) vs. Diego Nunes (144)
Bantamweight bout: Chris Cariaso (135) vs. Rafael Rebello (135)
143 pound catchweight bout: Renan Barao (141.5) vs. Anthony Leone (142)

There’s a few video interviews and trailers available for this coming Sunday’s World Extreme Cagefighting’s “WEC 49: Varner vs. Shalorus” event kicking around. Instead of posting them in single posts, we’ve put them all together.

Click here to view the embedded video.

WEC 49 event preview.

HT: TheFightNetwork.com

Click here to view the embedded video.

Jamie Varner and Kamal Shalorus pre-fight interviews.

HT: WEC.tv

Watch more videos after the jump

Click here to view the embedded video.

Josh Grispi and LC Davis pre-fight interviews.

HT: WEC.tv

Click here to view the embedded video.

Jamie Varner interviewed by Affliction

HT: Affliction

Reviewed by: Jordan McCreery

TapouT and the sport of Mixed Martial Arts hit the big screen again with the summer movie Circle of Pain. Circle of Pain features some well-known MMA fighters, popular actors, and even street fighting Internet sensations.

Former UFC fighters Heath Herring & Roger Huerta, both of whom have acted in previous films join current Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter Frank Mir and World Extreme Cagefighting fighter Miguel Torres along side the former UFC fighter and Ultimate Fighter 10 cast member, the street fighting Internet sensation known by many as Kimbo Slice. The star acting cast is topped off with TV’s Superman, Dean Cain, along with Tony Schiena and Bai Ling.

Kimbo Slice, who is featured on the cover of the film, doesn’t play that large of a role and receives less screen time than expected. Overall though, the film is a better display of MMA in mainstream film compared to some of its predecessors. Instead of a large amount of choreographed action fight scenes and MMA moves, Circle of Pain provides a plot that even non-MMA fans can follow and enjoy.

Tony Schiena, who plays Dalton in the movie, was once regarded as the greatest fighter in the world. Following an in-ring accident he gave all of that up for the simple life working alongside longtime friend Wyatt (played by Dean Cain). All was well until the man known as The Brick’ Colin Wahle comes along. Former UFC & Pride FC Heavyweight Heath Herring plays the Brick. Wahle comes in and bills himself as the newest and best fighter in the entire world. With this kind of claim, Victoria Rualan (Bai Ling) the owner of one of the premiere fighting organizations in the world, The RFC, realizes that Dalton still has 1 fight remaining on his contract. Nothing makes more sense than to put the greatest of the past against the present and after making the fight personal Dalton agrees to get back into competition for one more time.

Being that it is a TapouT film the brand is featured prominently throughout, product placement in motion pictures is another major step forward for MMA as a sport and particularly the major brands that are involved with the sport. It’s also great to see MMA fighters branching out into other areas of earning, it is known that fighters can’t fight in the cage forever and taking on roles in movies is a great way to continue to earn an income while still being a fighter.

Circle of Pain is available on DVD & Blu-Ray June 15, 2010. You can learn more about the film and see a trailer at the website – http://www.circleofpain-movie.com/

Canadian fans will get the chance to see some of the fighters involved in this Sunday’s WEC 49: Varner vs. Shalorus event on Thursday, June 17 at one of the biggest malls in North America.

The event is headlined by a bout between former WEC lightweight champ Jamie Varner (16-3) and undefeated Kamal Shalorus (6-0-1). Canadian featherweights Mark Hominick (17-8) and Yves Jabouin (14-5) square off in the co-main event.

On Thursday, June 17, World Extreme Cagefighting® invades the West Edmonton Mall for a public workout open to both fans and members of the press. The open workout will take place at the Newcap Stage at the West Edmonton Mall from 1pm – 3pm MST and will showcase the pre-fight training regimens of some of the world’s best mixed martial artists. The Newcap Stage is located on the first floor, Phase IV, in front of HMV.

The schedule for fighter workouts is as follows:

1pm – 2pm MST: Jamie Varner, Yves Jabouin, and Ed Ratcliff
2pm – 3pm MST: Kamal Shalorus, Mark Hominick, and Chris Horodecki

(*Fighters Subject to Change)

WEC.tv