Sherdog.com confirmed the May 11 booking Wednesday with Legacy FC promoter Mick Maynard, who also verified that the Texas-based organization has signed Jay Hieron and Junior Assuncao to compete against to-be-named opponents at Legacy FC 12 on July 13.
MMAJunkie.com first reported the matchup and signings. Both events take place at the Arena Theater in Houston and air live on HDNet.
Varner, 27, has earned knockouts in each of his last two appearances after posting a record of 1-4-1 in his six previous outings. The Arizona native was released from WEC after suffering losses to Benson Henderson, Donald Cerrone and Shane Roller. “C-4” closed out 2011 on a high note, however, finishing Nate Jolly and Drew Fickett in a combined 1:49.
Hieron will enter the Legacy cage after a four-fight stint in Bellator. “The Thoroughbred” won the promotion’s fourth-season welterweight tournament last year, besting Anthony Lapsley, Brent Weedman and Rick Hawn to earn a shot at 170-pound champion Ben Askren. Hieron was then edged by “Funky” in their title fight, falling by split decision to Askren this past October.
Assuncao is a five-time UFC veteran, most recently completing a two-fight Octagon stint to end last year. Riding six consecutive victories, the 30-year-old made the cut from lightweight to featherweight to face Eddie Yagin at UFC 135, outpointing the former Tachi Palace Fights champion this past September. Assuncao was released from the promotion after dropping a unanimous nod to Ross Pearson in December.
view original article >>