Downes Replaces Ratcliff at WEC 49

Unbeaten lightweight prospect Danny Downes will make his World Extreme Cagefighting debut against former International Fight League cornerstone Chris Horodecki in a featured matchup at WEC 49 “Varner vs. Shalorus” on Sunday at the Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Downes replaces Ed Ratcliff, who withdrew from the event with an injury.

A protégé of four-time world kickboxing champion Duke Roufus, Downes has never fought outside of his native Wisconsin. Perfect as a professional, the 24-year-old Marquette University graduate has secured five of his six wins by knockout or technical knockout. Downes last appeared in April, when he stopped Bruce Johnson under the King of the Cage banner.

Horodecki has not competed since he succumbed to a first-round head kick and punches from Anthony Njokuani at WEC 45 in December. The 22-year-old Shawn Tompkins understudy holds notable victories against Bart Palaszewski, former IFL lightweight champion Ryan Schultz and Bellator Fighting Championships veteran Shad Lierley.

A lightweight match pitting former WEC champion Jamie Varner against the unbeaten Kamal Shalorus will headline WEC 49, along with a key featherweight bout pairing fast-rising contenders Josh Grispi and L.C. Davis. A featherweight tilt pitting Mark Hominick with Yves Jabouin and a bantamweight duel between Eddie Wineland and Will Campuzano rounds out the main card.

WEC 49 “Varner vs. Shalorus”
Sunday, June 20
Rexall Place
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Jamie Varner vs. Kamal Shalorus
Mark Hominick vs. Yves Jabouin
Josh Grispi vs. L.C. Davis
Chris Horodecki vs. Danny Downes
Eddie Wineland vs. Will Campuzano
Karen Darabedyan vs. Will Kerr
Wagnney Fabiano vs. Frank Gomez
Bendy Casimir vs. Erik Koch
Raphael Assuncao vs. Diego Nunes
Rafael Rebello vs. Chris Cariaso
Renan Barao vs. Anthony Leone