Varner and Faber expected to return in 2009

WEC general manager Reed Harris expects both Urijah Faber and Jamie Varner to return to action this year.

Harris has confirmed to MMAjunkie.com Radio that the fighters have returned to training after being cleared by physicians.

“Jamie Varner has been cleared but needs to come back and fight,” Harris said.

“If Jamie doesn’t come back and fight, then whoever holds [the interim] belt will become (the champion). We’ll unify the belts.”

“Jamie says he’s coming back,” Harris continued. “We’re hoping to do that by the end of the year. So whoever wins this fight then in turn will fight Jamie.

“He said his hand is OK. He’s been cleared by his physicians. He’s training.”

“Urijah Faber, the doctor cleared his hand,” Harris added. “Urijah healed really, really quickly. I heard it was about twice as fast as a normal human being. He’s got that hyperbaric chamber thing going, and he told me, ‘Reed, I’m not [expletive] you. This thing works. I spent time in this hyperbaric chamber.’

“The doctor said he healed at twice the rate. Of course, he’s a really, really healthy dude.”

Tags: WEC