UFC on FOX 4: Joe Lauzon vs. Jamie Varner Head-to-Toe Breakdown

The main event of UFC on Fox this weekend may be Mauricio Rua against Brandon Vera, but another bout on the main card may steal the show.

That is, Jamie Varner vs. Joe Lauzon

Varner and Lauzon are both long-time veterans of the sport with big fight experience. Similarly, they are both in the hunt for the lightweight title held by Ben Henderson.

Here is a head-to-toe breakdown of this important lightweight affair.

Striking

When these two enter the cage, they will each present a similar level of striking ability.

Joe Lauzon is a good boxer. He has significantly improved since the early days of his UFC career. Look no further than when he knocked down Melvin Guillard, which he followed with a rear-naked choke on the dazed striker.

Jamie Varner utilizes more kicks in his striking arsenal, but has underrated hands as well. His latest outing saw him shock the world with a knockout of Edson Barboza, which announced his return to the big show.

These guys are almost spitting images of each other. I cannot decide who is the better man at this point.

Edge: Push

Wrestling

The facts are simple—Jamie Varner is a former collegiate wrestler and Joe Lauzon is not.

Although Lauzon is a great grappler, he does not possess Varner's takedown offense or defense. Varner is difficult to stop when he chooses to utilize his wrestling skills, especially in combination with his boxing.

He earns the edge here.

Edge: Varner

Submissions/Grappling

Jamie Varner possesses solid submission skills, but when it comes to jiu-jitsu grappling and submission fighting, the aggression and skill of Joe Lauzon cannot be matched (not by Varner, at least).

Lauzon knows nasty submissions that he utilizes in most of his fights. His armbars are bone-snapping, his chokes are as tight as they come and his transitions are equally impressive.

Varner can keep his own, but Lauzon's submission attack is tough to deal with.

Edge: Lauzon

Intangibles

The first intangible is that Jamie Varner is a former world champion in the WEC. He has big-fight experience, even though Lauzon has 12 career UFC bouts himself.

Lauzon is also a fight night bonus collector. On seven occasions, Lauzon has earned bonuses with his fights and submissions. He is a proven finisher, which may play into this fight as well.

Lastly, Lauzon has far more UFC fights under his belt than Varner. This will be Varner's fourth career bout in the UFC, and only his second since returning to the company. Meanwhile, Lauzon is heading into his 13th consecutive fight with the promotion, which may mean he will be more comfortable. 

All this considered, Lauzon may have the edge.

Edge: Lauzon

Predictions

I believe this will be the fight of the night. Both men are exciting fighters, who bring the fight whenever they step in the cage.

Expect a feeling-out process to begin with, followed by some spirited exchanges. There will be some ground fighting, but the majority of the fight will be through striking exchanges.

In the end, experience and momentum will play a large factor. The UFC experience Lauzon has will go a long way, but he will not earn the finish.

Prediction: Lauzon def. Varner via decision