Sunday’s main event between lightweights Jamie Varner and Kamal Shalorus at WEC 49 isn’t a title fight, but it will have title implications.
WEC general manager Reed Harris said on a media call Tuesday that the winner will get the next crack at current champion Ben Henderson. Varner, a former WEC lightweight champ, has been down that road before. Henderson caught him in a guillotine at WEC 46 in January to unify his interim title with Varner’s belt.
And while Varner said he’s not overlooking Shalorus on Sunday, it’s clear his eyes are on a chance at redemption against Henderson, whom he was critical of for his stance of not wanting rematches after he’s beaten someone.
“See the thing is, he doesn’t have that decision-making power (to turn down a rematch),” Varner said Tuesday. “I think Ben knows – I think it’s a little bit of fear, to be honest with you.”
But Henderson defended his position on rematches to MMA Fighting on Thursday.