WEC 49 Preview

The WEC returns to free TV this weekend after a two month layoff. The main event features Jamie Varner looking to bounce back after losing his belt to Ben Henderson. Kamal "The Prince of Persia" Shalorus is looking to make a run at a title shot with a win over the former champ.

This card also marks the WEC's first jaunt in to Canada. Let's break down the card:

Main Card:

Jamie Varner vs Kamal Shalorus

Varner is 16-3 with 14 wins by stoppage. He has a very solid grappling background with strong boxing skills as well. He has fought some tough fighters with mostly positive results and was the WEC champion for almost two years.

Shalorus is 6-0-1 with five wins by stoppage. He is a wrestler with strong ground and pound. This is definitely his toughest test to date.

This fight will come down to who can impose their will. Shalorus will want to take this fight to the ground. While Varner has a solid jiu jitsu game he'd much rather stand and strike.

I think with Varner's wrestling Shalorus won't be able to run rough shod over him. I'm picking Varner to effectively use his sprawl and brawl to earn a decision victory.

Mark Hominick vs Yves Jabouin

Hominick is 17-8 with 14 wins by stoppage. He is striker with a solid ground game. He has faced some tough fighters with mixed results.

Jabouin is 14-5 with 12 wins by stoppage. He is a striker. He has fought a couple tough guys and lost both fights.

Neither of these guys are exactly stand out fighters. However, it should be an entertaining bout. Jabouin will want to stand and if Hominick is smart he'll take it to the ground.

While Jabouin could catch Hominick I usually like the grapplers in these match ups so I'm picking Hominick to win by decision.

Josh Grispi vs LC Davis

Grispi is 13-1 with 11 wins by stoppage. He has solid striking and grappling skills. He has fought a few tough guys since moving over to the WEC with positive results.

Davis is 16-2 with 11 wins by stoppage. He has a wrestling background but a well rounded skill set. He has fought some tough fighters with mixed results.

Both fighters are up and comers which makes this a tough fight to call especially since both are so well rounded. However, I think Davis' wrestling will be the difference. I'm picking Davis to grind out a tough decision victory.

Chris Horodecki vs Ed Ratcliff

Horodecki is 13-2 with seven wins by stoppage. He is a kick boxer. He has fought some tough fighters with mixed results.

Ratcliff is 7-2 with six wins by stoppage. He is a striker. He has fought some tough fighters with less than stellar results.

This should be a fun stand up battle. This is another tough battle to call because I don't think either fighter is significantly better at striking. So I'm going to take a shot in the dark and pick Ratcliff to win by TKO in the first round.

Eddie Wineland vs Will Campuzano

Wineland is 16-6-1 with nine wins by stoppage. He has solid grappling and striking. He has fought some tough guys with mixed results.

Campuzano is 7-1 with six wins by stoppage. He is a striker with some submission ability. He has one fight against notable competition which he lost.

I think Wineland's experience and grappling should be the difference in this fight. I'm picking him to get the win by submission in the first round.

Preliminary Card:

Karen Darabedyan vs Will Kerr

Karen's experience against better competition and his wrestling should be the difference in this fight. I'm picking Karen to grind out a decision victory.

Wagnney Fabiano vs Frank Gomez

Fabiano was one of the top featherweights in the world before losing unceremoniously to Semerizer two fights ago. Since then he has dropped down to bantamweight only making him more dangerous.

I don't think Gomez will have an answer for Fabiano's jiu jitsu. I'm picking Fabiano to win by submission in the first round.

Erik Koch vs Bendy Cassimir

Both guys are talented grapplers. They may wind up cancelling each other out on the ground and this could turn into a stand up fight. However, I think Koch is the more talented fighter so I'm going to go with him to win by TKO in the first round.

Raphael Assuncao vs Diego Nunes

Assuncao is an extremely talented submission artist. Nunes is more well rounded but is also extremely talented. This should be a good fight no matter where it winds up but I'm picking Assuncao's experience and BJJ to carry him through. I'm picking Assuncao to win by decision.

Rafael Rebello vs Chris Cariaso

Both of these fighters and still looking to breakthrough for an organization. Rebello should have the advantage on the ground while Cariaso should have the advantage on the feet.

Both fighters are well rounded but Cariaso appears to be the better fighter at this point in their careers. I'll pick Cariaso to win by decision.