Faber vs. Assuncao; More WEC

The next slate of World Extreme Cagefighting events took shape, highlighted by reports that the promotion’s top draw, former featherweight champion Urijah Faber, will return on Jan. 10 to face Raphael Assuncao in Sacramento, Calif. MMAWeekly.com reported the bout as official for WEC 46 at the Arco Arena.

The promotion also firmed up details for WEC 45 on Dec. 19, with Donald Cerrone vs. Ed Ratcliffe in the main event. The event will also see the WEC debut of former International Fight League standout Chris Horodecki, who faces Anthony Njokuani at lightweight, and Joseph Benavidez vs. Rani Yahya at bantamweight. The show will emanate from the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

WEC 44, headlined by Mike Thomas Brown vs. Jose Aldo for the featherweight title, takes place Nov. 18.

In other WEC notes, one of the top featherweight prospects in the world, Faber pupil Chad Mendes, has signed a six-fight deal with the promotion. Mendes, a two-time collegiate All-American, has made his mark with exceptionally explosive takedowns and punches. He expects to debut in the WEC sometime in early 2010. Another featherweight, Jens Pulver, told MMA Fanhouse he was ready to return to WEC next year, as well.