World Extreme Cagefighting lightweight champion Ben Henderson (12-1) will defend his title on Dec. 16 against Anthony Pettis (12-1). The news was confirmed on Thursday by MMAWeekly.com with sources close to the fight.
Henderson has won eleven straight bouts, including five in the WEC. The lightweight champ successfully defended his united title against Donald Cerrone at WEC 48 by earning a submission (guillotine choke) in the first round. Henderson defeated Cerrone at WEC 43 to earn the WEC interim title.
Pettis, who sports the same record as Henderson, has won three straight and is 4-1 in the WEC. He defeated Shane Roller at WEC 50 in his last fight with a triangle choke submission, which earned Pettis the “Submission of the Night” award. Pettis has appeared in three bouts in 2010 defeating Roller, Alex Karalexis at WEC 48, and Danny Castillo at WEC 47.
The two are expected to headline the as yet to be announced WEC 53, which goes down on Dec. 16 at the Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Arizona.