Author: John Morgan [kingofabuelos]

A proposed WEC 48 lightweight matchup between former champion Jamie
Varner (16-3 MMA, 4-1 WEC) and intriguing prospect Kamal Shalorus
(6-0-1 MMA, 2-0 WEC) has been nixed.

Varner first posted news of the dissolution of the potential matchup on
his Twitter account Wednesday night, and MMAjunkie.com has since confirmed that Shalorus was forced to
withdraw from the event after failing to receive medical clearance for
a few lingering, yet not serious, injuries from his hard-fought January
win over Dave Jansen.

Bout agreements were never distributed for the contest, and it now
appears likely that Varner will re-booked on another card at a later
date.

Prior to his debut for the WEC this past December, featherweight
Courtney Buck (6-2 MMA, 0-1 WEC) wasn’t sure exactly what his
employment situation would be when he returned home to Minnesota.

Following a loss to Brandon Visher at WEC 45, Buck got the bad news.

“I’m a full-time fighter now – more by circumstance than choice,” Buck
joked today with MMAjunkie.com Radio.

Boxing champion James Toney (72-6-3 Boxing, 0-0 MMA) already has a trainer to shepherd him into the world of mixed martial arts.

Juanito Ibarra, a 30-year veteran of boxing and MMA who once trained
champions Oscar De La Hoya and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, is training
Toney in his Southern California MMA gym.

Ibarra told MMAjunkie.com on Wednesday that he’s
been working with Toney for the past month and will act as head coach
for Toney’s first MMA fight.

Sometimes trash talkers get what they want.

After berating UFC president Dana White on several media outlets in
recent months, 41-year-old boxing champion James Toney (72-6 Boxing,
0-0 MMA) has reportedly signed a multi-fight agreement with the Las
Vegas-based promotion.

The report was issued Tuesday by FiveOuncesOfPain.com citing sources
close to negotiations, and MMAFighting.com’s Mike Chiappetta has since
confirmed the deal on his Twitter account after speaking to White.

One of the more reserved an unassuming fighters you’re likely to ever
meet, WEC bantamweight champion Brian Bowles (8-0 MMA, 5-0 WEC) has
risen quickly through the ranks for the world’s best 135-pound fighters.

And while life hasn’t changed much for the Georgia resident, the
discussions concerning him have. Some consider Bowles among the top-10
pound-for-pound fighters in the world, while others write off his stunning
2009 victory over Miguel Torres as the result of a “lucky punch.”

Bowles recently said he’s not concerned too much with either camp’s
opinion. Instead, he’s just focused on a WEC 47 bout with Dominick Cruz
(14-1 MMA, 4-1 WEC).

The WEC 47 main card matchup between Jospeh Benavidez and Miguel Torres
this Saturday night in Ohio will certainly present one of the most
glaring reach discrepancies in a bantamweight fight in recent memory.

The compact, powerful frame of Benavidez stands in stark contrast to the lanky, wiry physique of the former WEC champion Torres.

But at just 5-foot-4, Benavidez said he’s unconcerned with the
challenges Torres’ reach will provide in the matchup. In fact, the Team Alpha
Male fighter said it’s a position he’s quite used to by now.