WEC 49 Lineup Finalized

Unbeaten bantamweight prospect Anthony Leone will make his World Extreme Cagefighting debut against fellow promotional newcomer Renan Barao in a preliminary matchup at WEC 49 “Varner vs. Shalorus” on June 20 at the Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. WEC officials on Wednesday finalized an 11-bout lineup for the event, which will serve as the promotion’s debut north of the border.

Perfect in eight appearances as a professional, Leone captured the Xtreme Championship Fight League bantamweight crown in a split decision over Tateki Matsuda in March. The 23-year-old Center Moriches, N.Y., native has delivered half of his eight wins by submission. A late replacement for the injured Clint Godfrey, Leone trains out of Team Bombsquad in New York and has spent time honing his skills under former UFC lightweight champion B.J. Penn in Hilo, Hawaii.

Barao lost his first professional fight in 2005 and has not tasted defeat since. A training partner of reigning WEC featherweight champion Jose Aldo, he has rattled off 12 consecutive victories since his December 2007 match with Claudemir Souza ended in a no contest. A potent striking base, coupled with a dangerous ground game that was sharpened by one of the top schools -- Nova Uniao -- in Brazil, has transformed Barao into one of the most sought-after fighters in the country. He has secured 14 of his 20 career wins by knockout, technical knockout or submission.

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.

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

Jamie Varner vs. Kamal Shalorus
Josh Grispi vs. L.C. Davis
Mark Hominick vs. Yves Jabouin
Chris Horodecki vs. Ed Ratcliff
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