The lightweight division in mixed martial arts has a high level of competition that runs from top to bottom, and the UFC’s grouping of lightweights is easily the toughest of all. Unlike other divisions in the promotion, it takes quite a bit to get towards the top of ladder, but putting together a string of exciting victories is always the start. At UFC on Fox 4 we will see Jamie Varner take a short notice fight against Joe Lauzon in what has the makings of a fight that both of these fighters need.
Less than a year ago, both Varner and Lauzon were in extremely different places. Lauzon was a fringe contender looking at an eliminator bout against Anthony Pettis. One head kick later, and that talk was quickly squashed.
Varner, on the other hand, wasn’t within earshot of the Octagon. After WEC was merged into the UFC, Varner was the biggest-named casualty of the move. The former lightweight champion found himself on the outside looking in, and the situation became worse when he started losing to perennially unknown fighters. After moving over to AMA Fight Club to redirect his career, Varner was given a blessing in the form of an injury to Evan Dunham. He stepped in to face the undefeated Edson Barboza at UFC 146, and in less than four minutes he gave the Brazilian his first taste of defeat. That evening he looked into the camera and stated “I’m back,” and now he is clearly that much closer.
Once again an injury, this time to Terry Etim, has placed Varner in an opportunity to shine in a major fight. Lauzon vs. Varner can place either one of these two lightweights within the top 15 of the division. It’s especially important in the UFC, where wins that come in exciting fashion will quickly vault you over other fighters, regardless of their recent track records.
These two combatants are known for putting on high-paced fights, and this bout is capable of bringing the same type of action. It’s well known that Lauzon is going to come out of the gate quickly and try to overwhelm Varner at the start of the bout, as he’s done to multiple fighters in the past. Varner is a sturdy boxer and wrestler with a solid skill set, but he has wilted under such pressure before. However, if he does not do so here, and Lauzon begins to run on fumes as he has done in the past, that is the prime opportunity for Varner to pounce.
At the same time, Varner cannot make the mistake of using his wrestling to take the fight to the ground, where Lauzon will have a staggering advantage. The Massachusetts native has been able to submit 17 different opponents during his career, and he could do so to Varner as well, especially early in the bout.
Viewers can expect a fight that is going to start at a fast pace and end within fifteen minutes, which is exactly what the winner of this fight will need if he hopes to jump start a run that could put him near the top of the lightweight pack by sometime next year. For that reason, Joe Lauzon vs. Jamie Varner may be the fight to look forward to the most on a card that doesn’t have people as excited as the UFC would like.
