Urijah Faber’s third-round stoppage of fellow title contender Raphael Assuncao at WEC 46 Sunday at the Arco Arena has set the stage for the popular former champion to contest for the belt he once held. WEC President Reed Harris confirmed a matchup with Jose Aldo would be booked for later in 2010, most likely before the summer.

“I think that Urijah has certainly earned it,” said Harris, discounting the notion that Faber would have to go through Mike Thomas Brown, who defeated him twice, before getting the title shot.

“I think Faber is ready and I think the Aldo-Faber fight is what people want to see.”

Faber paid homage to Aldo after his victory. “The California Kid” told the hometown crowd he was ready to take his crack at bringing the belt back to Sacramento.

“We’ve got a great champion right now,” said Faber. “Jose Aldo is a phenom. He’s talented and creative, and I’d love to get that belt.”

Aldo joined him in the cage after the fight and also addressed the partisan crowd.

“I have respect for Urijah,” he said, “but no one’s going to take my belt.”

The masses let Aldo know where their hearts lay, booing him heavily. Faber returned them to their jubilant mood with his retort.

“In my mind that’s my belt,” said Faber.

Harris told Sherdog.com shortly after that the high-profile bout may anchor the promotion’s first pay-per-view effort.

“I think that’s what we are going to work towards,” said the WEC boss. “I think we’re going to try to headline that pay-per-view show with Faber and Aldo, but again, like I said at the press conference, we want to have a deep card. We want to make sure that people feel that they really can’t miss it. And, for that reason, I think we’re going to build this card over the next couple months, and when we announce it, I think it’s going to be something that’s going to be very exciting for the public.”