"I broke my right index metacarpal, completely fractured." "So I have to get pins put in it Thursday. Then I go next week to see my eye doctor to make sure my retina isn’t detached. And if it’s detached it could be a career-ending injury."

Varner, who said he is still having trouble with his peripheral vision four days following the injury, has been indefinitely suspended until he can provide medical documentation that says the eye has recovered.

This may be as close as they ever come to fighting. One can dream I suppose. The rest of the photos for Affliction and WEC 38 at Combat Lifestyle.

I'll be on Fight Network Radio today at 3:10 pm EST to give a wrap-up and offer analysis regarding Affliction: Day of Reckoning and WEC 38. Click here for more information about the show and I'll be sure to post the mp3 of the appearance when it's up.

Thanks for the support.

UPDATE: And here's the audio.

I'll start with the main event.  Most of the title bout between Jamie Varner and Donald Cerrone was exciting and fun to watch.  Cerrone displayed relentless determination and Varner was impressive in taking Cerrone down and inflicting damage to a fighter that's extremely dangerous off his back.  Unfortunately, the fight ended due to an unintentional, but illegal knee, to the head of Varner.  Most would agree that the champion was ahead at that point though one judge did score the match in favor of Cerrone.  I must echo the sentiments of those who believe that the fight was rightly stopped.  It was the only possible conclusion, given Varner's reaction to the blow.  Only Varner knows what he was physically feeling, and we must, as fans of MMA, respect that and realize that the safety of the fighters is of paramount importance.  Hopefully, a rematch between the two will occur in the near future. 

Jens Pulver didn't look good at all.  He really needs to re-evaluate his preparation, and maybe look at whether or not he still wants to fight.  Faber looked sharp, but I'm not sure we learned much from the match. 

Danillo Villefort showed some amazing skill on the mat en route to a ground and pound stoppage win.  Jose Aldo is a seriously dangerous striker who adds even more depth to an already stacked featherweight division.  I look forward to seeing both Villefort and Aldo take on the best in their respective divisions.

The worst aspect of the night's event was the late start and the absolute barrage of commercials thrown at Versus viewers.  The fact that we had to endure an entire 30 minute installment of Sports Soup shows just where WEC live events rank in the programming scheme.  Come on, Sports Soup is a taped show that's shown over and over again.  Would CBS or FOX preempt an NFL game to show a Seinfeld rerun?  I realize that the WEC isn't the NFL, but Versus isn't a big time broadcaster, either.  To make matters worse, viewers were denied the opportunity to watch five other undercard fights and instead were fed commercials ad nauseam.  

The WEC really needs to be concerned about the watering down of their product.  The promotion had some stellar cards that really raised the bar in regard to fan expectations.  The last couple of events, starting with WEC 36, haven't quite lived up to what WEC fans have become accustomed to.  Some of that was unavoidable.  However, I would like to see more undercard fights like Cerrone/McCullough which went unaired during WEC 36.  There seemed to be more than an adequate amount of time to air a couple of additional undercard matches tonight.  Those additions would have certainly bolstered the overall WEC 38 product.

Oh, there's one more thing.  The crowd absolutely sucked.  They booed everthing and everyone except Donald Cerrone and Urijah Faber.  It was completely deplorable behavior by many in attendance.

Another day, another show, and another BloodyElbow Live Results thread.  I'll be here with you live starting with the Versus broadcast of the show.

It's a little unfortunate that this show had to be the day after such a solid and newsworthy Affliction card, it will be a fun card with a lot of fireworks but it is just not going to get the press it deserves in the build-up or after the fact.

Regardless, we're here to talk about it with all of you.  So chime in with your thoughts and lets give this show the attention it deserves.

Our one rule stands, no spoiling any fight that has already taken place until it is shown on the broadcast or the broadcast ends.  No exceptions!

It's 9:32 on my watch and here we sit...with WEC not on and me forced to watch Sports Soup.  Any idea what's going on?

Okay, so the deal is that the NHL All-Star game ran long, so rather than go to live fights Versus is giving Sports Soup (a show it re-runs constantly) its full 30 minutes.  Which is pretty amazingly dumb.

9:42 and the broadcast is getting underway!

Jose Aldo vs. Rolando Perez - Is up first and will be starting shortly.  Round 1 - Aldo's quick punches are flying early as Perez tries to circle to his left, which is right into Aldo's power hand (the right).  Left hook, right high kick combo from Aldo.  Perez with a right hand now.  Lead uppercut misses from Aldo and Perez with a nice body head combo in return. Quick right hand lands for Aldo and then he eats a combo as he tries to follow up with a body kick.  These two are going at it with some good technical striking, much better than the typical "sloppy kickboxing" we see in a lot of standup fights.  Perez bent in with a punch and Aldo timed it perfectly with a perfect knee to the chin that knocks Perez out cold.  Aldo jumps out of the cage and runs up about 20 rows high in the crowd celebrating.  Perez leaned in for a jab to the body and paid the price.  Jose Aldo wins by knockout round 1.

Danillo Villefort vs. Mike Campbell - Round 1 - Campbell throws a high kick right away and misses.  He is bent low at the knees and is circling.    Roundhouse kick to the body lands for Campbell.  Villefort throws a kick and Campbell takes him down off of it.  Big slam by Campbell and now Villefort works for a leglock but Campbell gets back to the feet.  Knee just misses for Danillo.  Campbell drops Villefort with a left but Danillo is okay.  Kneebar turned into a sweep and now Villefort is on top in side control.  Campbell gives up his back but is able to stand up.  Hip toss by Villefort and he quickly moves to mount.  A few elbows and again Campbell gives up his back.  A good 40 or so punches land by Villefort to the side of Campbells head and the fight is finally stopped.  Danillo Villefort wins by TKO (punches) round 1.

Scott Jorgensen vs. Frank Gomez - Round 1 - Gomez with a low kick early.  Jorgensen in a lot shorter here.  Shot attempt by Jorgensen and Gomez avoids almost right into a guillotine.  They scramble a little bit and the guillotine gets sunk very deep and Frank Gomez is forced to tap.  Scott Jorgensen wins by submission, round 1.

Jens Pulver vs. Urijah Faber - Round 1 - High kick attempt by Faber and Pulver throws him down.  Back to standing and now Faber tries for a takedown but Pulver says no go.  Faber pushes forward again and Pulver is able to separate again.  Left hand to the liver lands HARD followed by a right hand and Pulver is hurt.  Faber pounces and now locks in the guillotine and Pulver taps.  Three losses in a row and Pulver did not look right at all tonight.  Urijah Faber wins by submission (guillotine choke), round 1.

Pulver says he's not done and says that he does wonder if he is relevant in the division at this point.

Jamie Varner vs. Donald Cerrone for the WEC Lightweight Championship - Round 1 - Right hand lands square to the chin by Varner.  Now a left lands for Cerrone.  They trade shots and neither guy lands anything clean.  Left hand lands for Varner and Cerrone's legs buckle.  A left hand lands now and Varner takes him down which seems like an odd choice.  Very high guard by Cerrone now.  Varner separates and he is landing some huge bombs to the head of Cerrone.  Varner is really pouring on some damage now.  It's all punches and elbows and Cerrone has a very large knot on his forehead.  Fourty seconds left and this is a totally one sided round.  Cerrone gets back up and lands a knee to the body and then a body kick.  The round ends and the last 30 seconds kept it from being a 2 point round on my card.  10-9 round for Varner.  Round 2 - Varner with a takedown less than 30 seconds into the round.  Side control now by Varner but quickly Cerrone gets him back in full guard.  Cerrone gets right back up to his feet and we're standing again.  Right hand just misses by Varner.  Jab from Cerrone now and he is looking confident.  Takedown by Varner as he gets tired of being walked down.  More big ground n pound from Varner and then they go back to standing.  Varner is looking a bit tired now.  Low kicks are landing for Cerrone now.  Close round with 90 seconds left.  Body/Head combo lands for Varner.  Lead uppercut lands on Varner's chin.  Overhand right by Varner misses again.  Another takedown by Varner and that may win him the round.  Triangle is locked in as time expires.  Very close round but I'll give it to Cerrone 10-9 (I have the fight 19-19).  Round 3 - Some odd shenanegins to start the round with Varner drawing a line in the canvas and them touching gloves a few times.  High kick blocked by Varner.  Left hook lands for Varner and a jab from Cerrone.  Body shot from Cerrone and he is looking pretty comfortable.  A few right hands land hard and Cerrone's eye is bleeding badly and he stopped to wipe it so it must be bothering him.  Guillotine choke by Varner gives up position and Cerrone is on top.  Wall walk and they're standing.  Cerrone keeps pawing at the cut, the ref should really let the doctor take a look.  Left hook lands for Varner now.  Cerrone's face is swolen and bloody with a minute ten seconds to go.  Right hand lands for Varner again.  He's slowing it down and just using his boxing a little more.  Cerrone isn't quitting but Varner gets another takedown.  10-9 round for Varner as he moves ahead 29-28 on my card.  Round 4 -Cerrone has to squint to see and he eats a high kick right off the start of the round.  Body kick lands for Cerrone.  Varner with yet another takedown and some more GnP.  Solid elbow for Varner.  Back to standing and a quick takedown again for Varner.  Not as flashy of a round...but a save one to score for Varner.  10-9 Varner to move the card to 39-37.  Round 5 - Varner with yet another double leg and he almost falls into a triangle.  Cerrone is a tough dude, they're back to standing and he is still trying to walk Varner down.  Takedown by Cerrone now and he is in half guard.  Varner eats an illegal knee as he had more than 2 points on the ground and the fight is stopped to let the doctor take a look.  Varner says he can't see so the fight is stopped.  Official Scorecards: 49 - 46 Varner, 48 - 47 Cerrone and 49 - 46 Varner -  Jamie Varner wins by split decision.

The rest of the pictures at CombatLifestyle.com. Here are the weigh-in results:

WEC 38 "Varner vs. Cerrone"
Sunday, Jan. 25
San Diego Sports Arena
San Diego, Calif.


WEC Lightweight Championship
Jamie Varner (155) vs. Donald Cerrone (154.5)

Jens Pulver (146) vs. Urijah Faber (145.5)
Mike Campbell (170.5) vs. Danillo Villefort (170.5)
Rolando Perez (145) vs Jose Aldo (145.5)
Anthony Njokuani (156) vs. Benson Henderson (156)
Edgar Garcia (171) vs. Hiromitsu Miura (170.5)
Ian McCall (135.5) vs. Dominic Cruz (135)
Frank Gomez (136) vs. Scott Jorgensen (135.5)
Jesse Lennox (170.5) vs. Blas Avena (171)
Seth Dikun (136) vs. Charlie Valencia (134)

Jamie Varner -165 Urijah Faber -550 Danillo Villefort -130 Jose Aldo -800 Anthony Njokuani -255 Hiromitsu Miura -355 Dominick Cruz -355 Scott Jorgensen -165 Blas Avena -125 Charlie Valencia -250

Donald Cerrone +135 Jens Pulver +400 Mike Campbell EV Rolando Perez +600 Benson Henderson +205 Edgar Garcia +285 Ian Mccall +285 Frank Gomez +135 Jesse Lennox -105 Seth Dikun +200

After being announced on multiple sites mere days ago MMAWeekly is now reporting the following:

Almost as soon as it was revealed "Razor" Rob McCullough's fight with Marcus Hicks has been scratched from WEC 38 on Jan. 25 in San Diego, Calif.

McCullough's manager, Ken Pavia of MMA Agents, informed MMAWeekly.com of the change. Citing a grueling 16-week camp the former lightweight champion went through in preparation for his last fight with Donald Cerrone at WEC 36, Pavia said McCullough would not be ready to face Hicks.

So I guess my excitement was for nothing.  I really liked the potential matchup here but we're not going to be seeing it in January.  Hopefully Hicks gets a replacement if he feels like he wants to fight in January.

As for McCullough, I think it's smart that he make sure he is in shape and ready to go because another loss would really leave him in a bad spot in the WEC.

Regardless, I'm quite bummed out after hearing this news.