WEC 46 predictions, preview and analysis

World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) will begin the new decade with a bang this Sunday night (Jan. 10) when lightweight champion Jamie "C-4" Varner and interim title holder Ben "Smooth" Henderson meet to unify their belts in the main event of WEC 46 from the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California.

The main card, including the featured 155 pound championship bout, will air live on the Versus network beginning at 9 p.m. ET on fight night.

The telecast will also showcase the return of former featherweight champion Urijah "The California Kid" Faber, who will be making his first appearance in the WEC cage in more than 6 months due to injury. He'll take on crafty Brazilian Raphael Assuncao in a match that may determine the next challenger to Jose Aldo's crown.

However, Mike Thomas Brown, the most recent former 145 pound champ, might have something to say about that. Less than 2 months removed from losing this title to Aldo, the American Top Team trainee will jump right back into action on this card, taking on WEC newcomer Anthony "Cheesesteak" Morrison.

To help get you better prepared for the festivities, check out some quick analysis and predictions for the four main card bouts set to hit the Versus airwaves on Saturday night.

Check it out:

155 lbs.: Jamie Varner (Lightweight Champion) vs. Benson Henderson (Interim Lightweight Champion)

This is a really interesting fight because we haven't seen Henderson face someone like Varner yet. Varner is a much better striker than Roller, and his wrestling matches up much better with him than "Cowboy's" did. It's hard to find a clear cut strength for Henderson in this fight, whereas, he had advantages he could attack with in those fights.

Obviously wrestling is his overall strength, but like I said, Varner is going to negate most of that edge with a solid wrestling base of his own. There's still a slight edge for Henderson though, and it's not impossible to think that a similar gameplan to the one he used against "Cowboy" could work enough to eke out another close decision in this fight.

However, I think Henderson is going to have a much harder time taking Varner down and holding him there like he did with Cerrone. Because of that, I actually think this fight will primarily be fought on the feet, with each guy's wrestling essentially canceling out the other's. And if that does indeed turn out to be how this fight goes, then look for Varner to retain his title.

Varner has a ton of power and a proven track record with three of his four wins in the WEC coming by. It'll be near impossible to knock Henderson out, but I do think "C-4" can definitely claim three of the five rounds with his superior striking.

Cardio could play a factor if the fight does go into the championship rounds, but again, it's hard to tell who would have the advantage, even though it feels like that could be the one true area for Henderson to expose since Varner has been out of action for almost a full year.

Still though, "Smooth" didn't really show the best cardio himself in his last fight. The truth is, the longer this fight goes on, the more of a toss up the outcome becomes.

Like I said before though, I believe the wrestling will be even enough to where this will be more of a stand up battle. And in that type of fight, I like Varner, if not by knockout, then by decision.

Final prediction: Jamie "C-4" Varner via unanimous decision

145 lbs.: Urijah Faber vs. Raphael Assuncao

Who knows what would have happened had Faber not injured his hand in the first round of the rematch with Mike Brown. He might have won, he might not have. But with the injury being so, it's still really impressive that he was able to go the full five rounds and stay competitive with Brown.

To me he proved that he still belongs with the elite names at 145 pounds. Assuncao, on the other hand, is not yet on that level and might not ever be.

The truth is, before Mike Brown came around Urijah Faber was making a living off of beating guys who are similar or better than Assuncao in terms of talent. In fact, Jeff Curran, who was submitted in the second round by Faber, has a win over Assuncao. 

Look for this to be a statement fight for Urijah Faber, one that he dominates enough to make it obvious that he should be the first challenger to Jose Aldo's title.

Assuncao is a tough Brazilian fighter with good ground skills. I don't want to make it sound like he's a pushover opponent, but I still expect Faber to win rather easily and impressively. When it comes down to it, Assuncao is not fast enough or strong enough to deal with Faber.

Urijah is going to overwhelm him with speed, power and strength. Expect a big showing from "The California Kid," which will set up a huge fight with Aldo this summer.

Final prediction: Urijah Faber via technical knockout in round one.

145 lbs.: Mike Brown vs. Anthony Morrison

Like Faber, this is going to be a statement fight for Mike Brown, too. He was basically embarrassed by Jose Aldo in his last fight, and I think it's safe to assume that he's going to come out looking to be the one doing the embarrassing this time.

"Cheesesteak" Morrison is a newcomer to the WEC. He has some finishing ability with his hands, having won nine times by technical knockout. But, he doesn't defend submissions well, and that's where he's going to lose this fight.

Mike Brown trains at American Top Team, which is home to some of the best submission fighters in the world, and he's won twelve times by submission throughout his career. His advantage on the ground is going to be huge. And he shouldn't have too much difficulty getting the fight there either, because his wrestling will be far better than Morrison's, as well.

This fight might not get that far though. Brown may just choose to stand with "Cheesesteak" and look for the knockout, because, well, he can do that too. If that happens, this fight is going to be fun to watch, even though it won't last long.

As cool as that would be though, I think Brown will take a safer approach to winning this fight. He's still going to make a statement with a dominating win. He'll just do it on the ground by using his strength to expose his opponent's weakness.

Look for Brown to get a quick takedown, take a dominate position, and then choke the new guy out.

Final prediction: Mike Brown via submission in round one.

145 lbs.: Mackens Semerzier vs. Deividas Taurosevicius

I've been looking forward to seeing Semerzier fight again after he debuted for the WEC by upsetting jiu jitsu ace Wagnney Fabiano with a first round submission win back in October.

He gets another IFL veteran and submission fighter in his second fight for the promotion in Taurosevicius, and as much as some would like to see him score another upset, that's going to be a lot harder to come by this time around.

The truth is, while talented and hungry, he's still inexperienced and raw. Taurosevicius is the exact type of fighter he doesn't want to be facing right now - a smart, methodical fighter that will wear you down until he gets an opening for a submission.

Look for Mackens to have a much tougher fight on his hands in this one. I don't think he'll be completely outmatched, but this is a bad match-up and the element of surprise is gone. Taurosevicius is going to be ready, and I think his experience will be enough to get him a late submission win.

Final prediction: Deividas Taurosevicius via submission round three.

That's a wrap. To check out the full lineup for WEC 46 click here.

Remember that MMAmania.com will provide live coverage of the main card, beginning with the Versus telecast at 9 p.m. ET, as well as up-to-the-minute results of the under card action beginning at around 7 p.m. ET.

Check in early and often -- it should be an exciting night of fights! In the meantime, feel free to share your WEC 46-related thoughts and predictions in the comments section below.