Featured on the card was a rematch between former WEC Featherweight Champion Urijah Faber and Jens Pulver. Faber was originally lined up to face José Aldo at this event, but Aldo was replaced by Pulver. Aldo was instead moved to a bout with the debuting Fredson Paixao at this event, though Paixao was later replaced by WEC newcomer Rolando Perez due to an injury. The Faber/Aldo matchup would eventually take place at WEC 48 the following year, where Aldo defended his then-WEC Featherweight Championship in a unanimous decision victory.[1]
Ed Ratcliff was originally slated to face WEC newcomer Anthony Njokuani at this event, but was forced from the bout with an injury and replaced by the debuting Ben Henderson.[2]
The event drew an estimated 702,000 viewers on Versus.[3]
^For the WEC Lightweight Championship. Bout was stopped after Cerrone landed an illegal knee to the head of Varner while he was on the ground. Since Varner was unable to continue, the bout went to the scorecards.
Fight of the Night: Jamie Varner vs. Donald Cerrone
Knockout of the Night: José Aldo
Submission of the Night: Urijah Faber
Reported Payouts
The following is the reported payout to the fighters as reported to the California State Athletic Commission. It does not include sponsor money or "locker room" bonuses often given by the WEC and also do not include the WEC's traditional "fight night" bonuses.[5]