Jamie Varner vs Marcus Hicks WEC lightweight title fight set for August 3

by Chris Cosme on May 28, 2008 10:00 PM EDT Comment 7 comments

jamie varner marcus hicks wec
Newly crowned WEC Lightweight Champion, Jamie Varner (14-2), will return to defend his 155-pound belt for the first time ever against Marcus Hicks (8-0) on August 3, according to MMAWeekly.com.

It's the second title fight slated for the show -- WEC Light Heavyweight Champion Brian Stann is also expected to defend his 205-pound title against Steve Cantwell.

"The Worm" is fresh off an impressive knockout of then-WEC champion, "Razor" Rob McCullough, at WEC 32 back February, defeating the heavy-handed champion at his own game. It was his third straight win and second consecutive victory under the WEC banner.

Varner will certainly have to bring his "A" game -- "The Wrecking Ball" is no slouch.

In fact, Hicks is one of the hottest (and most compact) fighters in the promotion, winning his last three fights in the WEC, and overall, is riding an eight fight win streak. He has defeated the likes of Ed Ratcliff and Sergio Gomez en route to being the number one contender in the division.

Put simply, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt -- who also has some pro boxing experience -- will be a stiff challenge for Varner

Stay tuned for more fight announcements and other news in the next few days as WEC 34: "Faber vs Pulver" is set for this weekend -- the organization will certainly look to promote upcoming events on the biggest night in its history.

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This should be a good “first” defending his belt test for Varner.

by UFCAddict on May 28, 2008 10:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Should be a good fight, looking forward to seeing lightweights fight… good action!

by THORAZINE on May 29, 2008 12:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I am hyped!
Hicks is fast, strong and powerful.
I don’t see this going to a decision.

by RipTheSystem on May 29, 2008 3:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I read this news yesterday morning and was very excited. Marcus Hicks truely is a wrecking ball. He is a solid ball of muscle that has skills. I bet money on him to win his last fight against 9mm. Both fighters were undefeated. Hicks can hit hard, take you right to the ground and submit you. His guillatine is VERY strong. I have been a fan of Marcus since I saw that Sergio episode of TapOut. He fought Hicks at the WEC and I was very impressed with Hick ever since.

Does anyone else but me think that Hicks actually has a chance at winning this fight? I’m very interested to see how big a favorite Varner will be. Varner looked very sharp against Razor Rob, but Rob and Hicks have completely different styles.

Fantastick Matchup.

Its just unfortunate that news about the WEC rarely gets more than 5 comments.

ALL YOU OTHER WEC FANS: Did you know that Doug Marshall left the WEC? He left to go fight in some small California organization.

by ViolentMike on May 29, 2008 9:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m completely with you on this one VM. Maybe I’m a little biased with Hicks being from the ‘Plex and all, but I think he overpowers Varner and chokes him out. Where is Marshall going? If he’s going to leave WEC he could probably make a pretty good amount of money in Elite os someplace like that. He’s got enough of a name to cash in on.

by PW on May 29, 2008 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs