UFC on Fox 4 Results: What We Learned from Joe Lauzon vs. Jamie Varner

What a fight.

Joe Lauzon vs. Jamie Varner was the favorite to win the Fight of the Night award heading into UFC on Fox 4, and it delivered in a big way.

After an entertaining first round that saw Varner drop Lauzon twice, Lauzon came out strong in the second round, threatening with multiple submissions and landing a hard combination that rocked the former WEC champion.

The fight was even after two rounds, and Varner came out looking to steal the fight when he rushed Lauzon almost immediately out of the gate.

Varner’s aggressiveness ended up getting the better of him though, as a takedown led to Lauzon gaining a sweep and in the ensuing scramble “J-Lau” was able to secure a fight-ending triangle choke.

What We’ll Remember About This Fight

Joe Lauzon and Jamie Varner left it all in the cage.

Both men were visibly tired heading into the third frame, and both men dug deep to try and secure the victory.

In the end Lauzon just had one more trick up his sleeve, but Varner looked incredibly impressive in a loss.

What We Learned About Lauzon

You just can’t count Joe Lauzon out.

Varner dominated the first round and was well on his way to winning a decision in the third, but Lauzon kept his cool and when he saw an opportunity, he jumped on it.

If Lauzon’s win earns him some form of fight night bonus (and it should), it will be his eighth post-fight award of his career.

That’s an exciting fighter.

What We Learned About Varner

Varner is a legit challenge for anyone at 155.

After knocking out Edson Barboza in June, Varner was on top of the world and his confidence was evident when he came at Lauzon with little regard for danger.

Lauzon is able to lock in submissions off his back better than 99 percent of the lightweight division, and as long as Varner keeps his head when he’s inside the cage, he should be able to hang with the best in the world at lightweight.

What’s Next for Lauzon

Lauzon has won three of his last four fights and has looked impressive in all of them.

He’s not quite ready to get back in there with the Anthony Pettises of the division, but a fight against Clay Guida would be extremely entertaining.

What’s Next for Varner

I doubt Varner is going to fall too far in the lightweight division after that performance.

A bout against Sam Stout would be a ton of fun, and it would let the winner move up a spot in the crowded lightweight division.