Not so fast on Jamie Varner being stripped of lightweight title

Earlier today WKR passed along a story regarding WEC 43 coming to Youngstown, Ohio. The main event currently being discussed is an interim lightweight title fight between Donald Cerrone and Benson Henderson.

This news was soon followed with several reports citing a story by Vindy.com that current lightweight champion, Jamie Varner, was to be stripped of his lightweight belt and may be facing the end of his fighting career. Varner recently suffered several injuries in his last title defense.

However WEC General Manager Reed Harris immediately talked to MMA Junkie to clear the confusion around Varner's status,

Harris said his comments were taken a bit out of context and that Varner will be stripped of the belt only if his injuries prevent him from returning to the cage - something that won't be known for quite some time. In a January title defense over Cerrone (one that ended via technical split decision), Varner broke his hand and foot before an illegal knee in the fifth round brought an end to the bout. Although hopeful he could return for WEC 43 to fight Cerrone again, Varner has publicly stated that his hand did not heal correctly and that it'll keep him sidelined through the summer.

"Jamie is not stripped of the title," Harris said. "We're all hoping Jamie can come back later this year and defend his title against whoever wins the interim title.

"We just couldn't put the division on hold. We had to move it forward. ... Donald and Benson were elated."

Reed also goes on to talk about why the WEC chose Youngstown as a destination (it's between Pittsburgh, Akron and Cleveland).

WEC 43 will feature an interim lightweight title bout between Donald Cerrone and Benson Henderson as its main event.