UFC on FOX 4: August 4, 2012 Staples Center in Los Angeles, California UFC Lightweight Contender Joe Lauzon (-120) Profile: A six-year veteran of the UFC, “J-Lau” Joe Lauzon (21-7) has delivered memorable performances, from his knockout over former UFC champ Jens Pulver in his debut to his deep run on The Ultimate Fighter, while also winning seven fight bonuses (four Submission of the Night and three Fight of the Night). The 28-year-old Massachusetts native comes to finish, and it usually comes from his slick grappling skills. In his 21 wins, he has 17 submission victories and four knockouts, which is extremely impressive considering his relatively high level of competition. At UFC 136, Lauzon had one of the biggest wins of his career over Melvin Guillard, but it all came crashing down as Anthony Pettis knocked him out with a vicious head kick at UFC 144. Lauzon looks to bounce back against surging vet Jamie Varner. UFC Lightweight Contender Jamie Varner (-110) Profile: A UFC vet and the former WEC lightweight champ, Jamie Varner (20-6-1, 2 NC) was cut by the WEC following an 0-3-1 run as the organization closed its doors in late 2010. Looking to fight his way back into the UFC’s newly bolstered ranks, the 27-year-old Arizona native went on a tear through the independent circuit that saw him take home three wins in less than three minutes total with one speed-bump loss coming against TUF hopeful Dakota Cochrane. Then, in early May, the UFC called Varner back to fill in for an injured Evan Dunham to take on undefeated Edson Barboza at UFC 146. In his first appearance since UFC 68 and on short notice, Varner did the unthinkable and scored a TKO victory against Barboza in the first round for a huge upset. Opening UFC on FOX 4 Odds Analysis: MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas has made Lauzon a small -120 favorite (bet $120 to win $100) against Varner, who opened as a slight -110 underdog according to the MMA odds. Varner’s performance against Barboza was an eye opener and rewarded him with instant credibility after more than five years outside of the UFC’s Octagon in lesser organizations. He had publicly stated his plan for Barboza and executed it perfectly, but Lauzon might be an even craftier opponent who learned a valuable lesson in his knockout loss to Pettis. Lauzon has never lost two bouts in a row and battled much tougher competition during his stay in the UFC. That experience could very well be the difference in what is an otherwise dead even matchup and could end up as the UFC on FOX 4 Fight of the Night.
