For a few hours a couple of weeks back, BORN STRONGER fighter Jamie Varner’s professional mixed martial arts career was over. A broken hand that never healed properly had derailed his meteoric rise to the top of the MMA world and the WEC was stripping him of his belt.

But Jamie Varner is still the lightweight champion of the WEC. His hand, while still not completely healed, is getting better. The rumor of his premature retirement has been attributed to a quote from a WEC general manager, Reed Harris, who claims he was misquoted. It just goes to show you how powerful social media can be in today’s 140 character per message age.

The injury occurred last January during Varner’s epic championship bout with “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone. During the fight, Varner also suffered a broken foot and concussion that occurred when Cerrone inadvertently and illegally kneed Varner in the temple while Jamie was on the ground. Despite being given time to recover Varner was unable to continue. Even though the fight was stopped prematurely, Varner retained his championship belt because he was ahead on points. At the time, the crowd didn’t realize the severity of Varner’s injuries. They thought he was looking for a way out of the fight. They thought he was a quitter. And they let him know it.

Nothing could be farther from the truth. There are very few fighters who could continue fighting after sustaining the injuries Varner had. He showed tremendous heart by continuing to fight in despite of his injuries. It was this heart that first attracted the attention of BORN STRONGER MMA SPORTWEAR. As the fastest growing MMA fight wear brand in the world, BORN STRONGER only signs fighters who have demonstrated tremendous courage in the face of adversity. What also attracted BORN STRONGER to Varner was his commitment to advancing the sport of mixed martial arts. Recently, Varner was instrumental in the legalization and sanctioning of mixed martial arts in Arizona after testifying to the sport's legitimacy.

As of this writing Jamie Varner is still not medically cleared to punch or grapple. The doctor’s clearance he received a few months back proved to be premature. This time he is being more cautious, limiting his workouts to running, swimming and pushups. He keeps his mind in the game by helping fellow mixed martial artists, like TUF runner-up, C.B. Dolloway, train at his gym in Arizona and cornering their fights. Just this past Saturday in Arkansas, Jamie cornered another former TUF contestant, Jesse “Kid Hercules” Forbes in his three round unanimous victory over a previously undefeated opponent.

So what’s next for Varner? According to Varner and WEC officials his next fight will be in late 2009 or early 2010. Most likely against the winner of Cerrone vs. Ben Henderson in their bout for the interim title this September in Youngstown, Ohio. The very fact that there is an interim title bout at all irks Jamie Varner. In his view, that title is his and his only.

Someday soon he will be able to prove it to the world.