The WEC today officially announced its year-end event, WEC 45: "Cerrone vs. Ratcliff," which will take place on December 19 at The Pearl at The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, NV.

WEC 45: "Cerrone vs. Ratcliff" will be televised live nationally on Versus beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.

Confirmed in the announcement were two previously reported lightweight bouts that have been tapped as the two featured bouts of the evening. The event's headliner is a lightweight bout between Donald Cerrone and Ed Ratcliff, while, in the co-main event, rising contender Anthony Njokuani will face former IFL star Chris Horodecki in another lightweight feature.

"Four of our top lightweights are going to be competing on Dec. 19, each with his sights set on securing a coveted shot at the world title," WEC GM Reed Harris said in a press release. "Cerrone vs. Ratcliff has the potential to be an explosive standup war. We can expect much of the same from Njokuani and Horodecki as well. This is the perfect holiday gift for fans."

Also announced for the event was a previously-unreported bantamweight match up between Joseph Benavidez and Rani Yahya.

Benavidez opened his career with the WEC the right way by winning his first two fights with the promotion over Danny Martinez and Jeff Curran. However, his title aspirations hit a snag as he most recently suffered his first career loss against Dominick Cruz at WEC 42 in August.

Prior to entering the WEC, Benavidez picked up three straight stoppage wins in DREAM and PFC. He sports a near perfect MMA record of 10-1, with eight of his wins coming by stoppage including six by submission.

Yahya (15-4) has scored three straight first-round submission wins in the WEC over Yoshiro Maeda, Eddie Wineland and, most recently, against John Hosman at August's WEC 42. He sports a 4-1 WEC record, with a upset win over Mark Hominick in his promotional debut; while suffering his lone WEC loss against former WEC bantamweight champ Chase Beebe.

During his seven-year career, Yahya has competed for other notable promotions such as Jungle Fight, MARS and K-1 Hero's. The very talented Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt has posted submission wins in all but one of his 15 career wins.

"On Dec. 19, we are showcasing two of the world's most dynamic bantamweights," said Reed Harris about the Benavidez vs. Yahya match up. "Benavidez-Yahya has the potential to steal the show. We are really excited to bring this card to The Palms."

According to MMAjunkie.com, a previously rumored bantamweight bout between Takeya Mizugaki and Damacio Page has been scrapped from WEC 45. According to the report, Page pulled out, but Mizugaki is expected to remain on the card.

Tickets for WEC: "Cerrone vs. Ratcliff" go on sale to the general public on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 12 p.m. PT and will be priced at $175, $100, and $50. Tickets will be available at The Pearl box office, online at ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations, or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000.