Jamie Varner

Last updated
Jamie Varner
Jamie Varner.jpg
Born (1984-10-12) October 12, 1984 (age 39)
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Other namesC-4
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight156 lb (71 kg; 11.1 st)
Division Lightweight
Welterweight
Reach72 in (180 cm) [1]
Fighting out of Glendale, Arizona, U.S.
TeamArizona Combat Sports
MMA Lab
RankBrown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu [2] [3] under Gustavo Dantas[ citation needed ]
Years active2003–2014
Mixed martial arts record
Total35
Wins21
By knockout7
By submission11
By decision3
Losses11
By knockout2
By submission5
By decision4
Draws1
No contests2
Other information
University Lock Haven University
Notable school(s) Deer Valley High School
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Last updated on: September 09, 2009

James Varner (born October 12, 1984) is a retired American mixed martial artist who fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is the former WEC Lightweight Champion.

Contents

Background

Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Varner attended Deer Valley High School where he competed in wrestling. [4] At Deer Valley, Varner was a two-time Regional Champion and a State Runner Up and went on to compete at Pima Community College where he was a two-time National Qualifier and a National Runner Up, in addition to being an NJCAA All-American and a two-time Academic All-American. [5]

Mixed martial arts career

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Varner competed twice in the UFC. His first appearance was against veteran Hermes Franca, which Varner lost via submission (armbar) in round three. His final appearance was against formerly undefeated Jason Gilliam, which he won via first round submission (rear naked choke). After this win, Varner transferred to the WEC.

World Extreme Cagefighting

Varner successfully defended his WEC Lightweight Championship against the previously undefeated Marcus Hicks on August 3, 2008.

He next retained his title on January 25, 2009, defeating Donald Cerrone via technical split decision at WEC 38. [6] The fight was highly competitive and won the Fight of the Night award. However, the fight was stopped prematurely in the fifth round when Cerrone hit Varner's temple with an illegal knee while Varner was still on the ground. Varner was given time to recover, but he was unable to continue, noting that he had double vision and had sustained a broken hand.

Varner faced Benson Henderson to unify the WEC Lightweight Championship at WEC 46 on January 10, 2010. [7] After outboxing and outwrestling Henderson in the first two rounds, Henderson came back and caught Varner in a standing guillotine choke ending the fight at 2:41 of the third round. [8]

Varner was expected to face Kamal Shalorus on April 24, 2010 at WEC 48, [9] but the bout was called off due to an injury sustained by Shalorus. Varner/Shalorus was then rescheduled for June 20, 2010 at WEC 49. [10] The match ended in a split draw.

Varner faced Donald Cerrone in a highly anticipated rematch on September 30, 2010 at WEC 51. [11] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Varner faced Shane Roller on December 16, 2010 at WEC 53. [12] He lost via submission in the first round and was subsequently released from the promotion. [13]

Post Zuffa

In his first post-Zuffa fight, Varner fought Tyler Combs for XFO and won via submission in the first round. He was also in negotiations for a possible fight against DREAM Lightweight Champion Shinya Aoki at the end of May 2011, [14] but the bout did not materialize.

Varner headlined Titan Fighting Championships 20 against Dakota Cochrane on September 23, 2011, losing by unanimous decision. [15]

Varner has signed a three-fight contract with XFC. He debuted on the XFC 14 show, defeating Nate Jolly via KO in round one. He returned on the XFC 16 High Stakes card which took place on February 10, 2012 from the Knoxville Civic Auditorium-Coliseum in Knoxville, Tennessee. [16] He defeated Drew Fickett via TKO due to strikes just 40 seconds into round one.

Return to the UFC

It was announced that Varner would replace Evan Dunham, who suffered an injury, to fight undefeated prospect Edson Barboza on May 26, 2012 at UFC 146. [17] Varner defeated Barboza by TKO due to punches in the first round.

Varner replaced an injured Terry Etim against Joe Lauzon on August 4, 2012 at UFC on Fox: Shogun vs. Vera. [18] Varner broke his hand in the second round [19] and lost at 2:44 in the third round via triangle choke. However, his performance earned him the $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus [20] and a Fight of the Year nomination at the World MMA Awards. [21]

Varner was scheduled to face Melvin Guillard on December 15, 2012 at the Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale. [22] However, Varner fell ill the day of the event and the bout was scrapped from the card. Varner/Guillard was rescheduled for December 29, 2012 at UFC 155. [23] Varner won the fight via split decision (30–27, 27–30, 30–27). Joe Rogan said post fight that "whoever scored it 30 to 27 for Guillard should never be allowed to judge a fight again."

Varner faced Gleison Tibau on August 31, 2013 at UFC 164. [24] He lost the fight via split decision.

Varner was expected to face Pat Healy on December 14, 2013 at UFC on Fox 9. [25] However, Varner pulled out of the bout due to injury and was replaced by Bobby Green [26]

Varner faced Abel Trujillo on February 1, 2014 at UFC 169, replacing Bobby Green. [27] He lost the back-and-forth fight via knockout in the second round. Despite the loss, Varner was given a Fight of the Night bonus award for the bout. The loss was also Varner's first knockout loss in his career. [28]

Varner faced James Krause on May 24, 2014 at UFC 173. [29] Varner lost the fight via TKO due to injury as he broke his ankle in the first round and was unable to continue into the second round. [30]

Varner next fought Drew Dober on December 13, 2014 at UFC on Fox 13. [31] He lost the fight via a rear-naked choke. Varner landed on his head while attempting a takedown, temporarily rocking him and allowing Dober to take Varner's back to get the choke. In his post-fight interview inside the octagon, Varner announced his retirement from mixed martial arts competition. [32]

Personal life

He is an alumnus of Deer Valley High School in Glendale, Arizona, where he also was a part of the Deer Valley Skyhawk Wrestling Team. He attended Lock Haven University where he joined the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and spent his time at that school training both as a wrestler and a boxer, where he was NCBA (National Collegiate Boxing Association) Champion for the nationally recognized Lock Haven University boxing team. Also attended PCC (Pima Community College) outside of Maricopa county in Arizona.

Varner was instrumental in the legalization and forthcoming athletic sanctioning of mixed martial arts in the state of Arizona after giving testimony to the sport's legitimacy and ongoing development as an athletic profession. [33]

After retiring from MMA in 2014, Varner continued his studies that were interrupted when Varner got into the UFC. Eventually Varner graduated with major in marketing and a minor in financing. After graduating he worked at Boston Scientific before transitioning to the stem cell domain.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
35 matches21 wins11 losses
By knockout72
By submission115
By decision34
Draws1
No contests2
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss21–11–1 (2) Drew Dober Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on Fox: dos Santos vs. Miocic December 13, 201411:52 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Loss21–10–1 (2) James Krause TKO (ankle injury) UFC 173 May 24, 201415:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss21–9–1 (2) Abel Trujillo KO (punch) UFC 169 February 1, 201422:32 Newark, New Jersey, United StatesFight of the Night.
Loss21–8–1 (2) Gleison Tibau Decision (split) UFC 164 August 31, 201335:00 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Win21–7–1 (2) Melvin Guillard Decision (split) UFC 155 December 29, 201235:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss20–7–1 (2) Joe Lauzon Submission (triangle choke) UFC on Fox: Shogun vs. Vera August 4, 201232:44 Los Angeles, California, United StatesFight of the Night; Fight of the Year (2012).
Win20–6–1 (2) Edson Barboza TKO (punches) UFC 146 May 26, 201213:23 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States2012 Upset of the Year.
Win19–6–1 (2) Drew Fickett Submission (punches)XFC 16February 10, 201210:40 Knoxville, Tennessee, United States160 lb Catchweight.
Win18–6–1 (2)Nate JollyKO (punches)XFC 14October 21, 201111:09 Orlando, Florida, United States160 lb Catchweight.
Loss17–6–1 (2) Dakota Cochrane Decision (unanimous)Titan FC 20September 23, 201135:00 Kansas City, Kansas, United States165 lb Catchweight.
Win17–5–1 (2)Tyler CombsSubmission (north-south choke)XFO 39May 13, 201111:30 Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States Welterweight bout.
Loss16–5–1 (2) Shane Roller Submission (rear-naked choke) WEC 53 December 16, 201013:55 Glendale, Arizona, United States
Loss16–4–1 (2) Donald Cerrone Decision (unanimous) WEC 51 September 30, 201035:00 Broomfield, Colorado, United StatesFight of the Night.
Draw16–3–1 (2) Kamal Shalorus Draw (split) WEC 49 June 20, 201035:00 Edmonton, Alberta, CanadaShalorus had one point deducted in round two for illegal groin kicks.
Loss16–3 (2) Benson Henderson Submission (guillotine choke) WEC 46 January 10, 201032:41 Sacramento, California, United StatesLost the WEC Lightweight Championship.
Win16–2 (2) Donald Cerrone Technical Decision (split) WEC 38 January 25, 200953:10 San Diego, California, United StatesDefended the WEC Lightweight Championship; Fight of the Night.
Win15–2 (2) Marcus Hicks TKO (punches) WEC 35 August 3, 200812:08 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesDefended the WEC Lightweight Championship.
Win14–2 (2) Rob McCullough TKO (punches) WEC 32 February 13, 200832:54 Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United StatesWon the WEC Lightweight Championship.
Win13–2 (2)Sherron LeggettTKO (punches and elbows) WEC 29 August 5, 200714:08 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win12–2 (2)Jason GilliamTechnical Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 68 March 3, 200711:34 Columbus, Ohio, United States
Loss11–2 (2) Hermes França Submission (armbar) UFC 62 August 26, 200633:31 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesFight of the Night.
Win11–1 (2)Leonard WilsonSubmission (rear-naked choke)Rage in the Cage 78January 14, 200621:07 Glendale, Arizona, United States
NC10–1 (2)Tony LlamasNo Contest KOTC 56: Caliente July 9, 2005N/AN/A Globe, Arizona, United StatesLlamas injured by an illegal strike.
Win10–1 (1)Paul ArroyoSubmission (punches)Rage in the Cage 71June 30, 200512:03 Tempe, Arizona, United States
Win9–1 (1)Adam RolandTKO (punches)Rage in the Cage 70June 11, 200512:46 Glendale, Arizona, United States
Win8–1 (1)Jesse BongfeldtTKO (punches)WFF 7: Professional ShootoJuly 23, 200414:12 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Win7–1 (1)Kyle BradleySubmission (rear-naked choke)Fight FactoryJune 26, 200422:34N/A
Win6–1 (1)Kyle SprouseSubmission (choke)RITC 63: It's TimeJune 12, 200411:47 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win5–1 (1)Garett DavisSubmission (triangle choke)World Freestyle Fighting 6May 14, 200413:52 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
NC4–1 (1)James UpshurNo ContestRITC 61: RelentlessApril 30, 20042N/A Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win4–1Jarvis BrennamanSubmission (triangle choke)ECS: EvolutionJuly 19, 200311:22 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win3–1Dave KleinSubmission (choke)RITC 50: The PreludeJuly 12, 200331:56 Tucson, Arizona, United States
Win2–1Justin NaulingSubmission (armbar)RITC 49: Stare DownJune 7, 200320:38 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Loss1–1Jesse MorengDecision (unanimous)RITC 47: UnstoppableJune 7, 200333:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win1–0Carlos OrtegaDecision (unanimous)RITC 46: Launching PadMarch 27, 200333:00 Tempe, Arizona, United States

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References

  1. ↑ "Fight Card - UFC 173 Barao vs. Dillashaw". UFC.com. Archived from the original on July 3, 2018. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  2. ↑ Luke Thomas (February 12, 2008). "Jamie Varner's First-Rate Preparation for WEC 32". bloodyelbow.com.
  3. ↑ vinceo66 (October 24, 2012). "4th Southwest Classic Jamie Varner vs Gottrell King FOR THE GOLD!!!". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved December 13, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ↑ "Jamie Varner - Impact MMA". Archived from the original on 2014-02-21. Retrieved 2014-06-09.
  5. ↑ "411Mania".
  6. ↑ "Donald Cerrone expected to fight champ Jamie Varner at WEC 38 | MMAjunkie.com". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2008-11-09.
  7. ↑ Adam Wagner (2009-11-02). "WEC 46: 'Varner vs Henderson' announced for Arco Arena on Jan. 10". mmmamania.com. Retrieved 2009-11-02.
  8. ↑ Ray Hui (2010-01-10). "WEC 46: Ben Henderson Submits Jamie Varner, Unifies Lightweight Belts". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2010-01-10.
  9. ↑ "Jamie Varner vs. Kamal Shalorus likely for WEC 48 PPV main card". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2012-07-12. Retrieved 2010-02-22.
  10. ↑ "WEC 49: 'Varner vs Shalorus' official for June 20 in Edmonton". mmamania.com. 2010-04-15.
  11. ↑ "VARNER VS. CERRONE 2 SIGNED FOR WEC 51". mmaweekly.com. 2010-07-20. Archived from the original on 2010-07-23.
  12. ↑ "Jamie Varner To Face Shane Roller at WEC 53". mmaweekly.com. October 22, 2010.
  13. ↑ "Former WEC Champion Jamie Varner Released From WEC/UFC Following Loss". mmaweekly.com. December 28, 2010.
  14. ↑ "Shinya Aoki Will Fight at Dream 17; McKee and Varner Possible Opponents (UPDATED)". mmaweekly.com. May 6, 2011.
  15. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-11-09. Retrieved 2012-11-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  16. ↑ "Jamie Varner signs new deal with the Xtreme Fighting Championships". 18 December 2011.
  17. ↑ Tom Ngo (May 1, 2012). "Jamie Varner Replaces Injured Evan Dunham at UFC 146". 5thround.com. Archived from the original on May 30, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
  18. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-07-01. Retrieved 2012-07-02.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  19. ↑ Damon Martin (2012-08-05). "Jamie Varner Suffers Broken Hand in 2nd Round Against Joe Lauzon". MMAWeekly.com. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  20. ↑ "UFC on FOX: Shogun vs Vera Post-fight Press Conference". www.ufc.com. Archived from the original on 2012-08-05.
  21. ↑ "Reminder: Final week to vote for 2012 World MMA Awards". 27 December 2012.
  22. ↑ "Melvin Guillard vs. Jamie Varner added to TUF 16 Finale in December". mmajunkie.com. November 1, 2012. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012.
  23. ↑ "Illness forces Jamie Varner out of Melvin Guillard fight". mmafighting.com. December 15, 2012.
  24. ↑ "Lightweights Jamie Varner and Gleison Tibau set for UFC 164 in Milwaukee". mmajunkie.com. June 19, 2013.
  25. ↑ "Pat Healy vs. Jamie Varner added to December's UFC on FOX 9 event". mmajunkie.com. October 6, 2013. Archived from the original on October 7, 2013.
  26. ↑ Tim Burke (12 November 2013). "Bobby Green in for Jamie Varner, will face Pat Healy at UFC on Fox 9". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2013-11-12.
  27. ↑ Staff (2013-12-31). "Abel Trujillo gets new opponent for UFC 169 main card". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  28. ↑ Matt Erickson. "UFC 169 bonuses: Abel Trujillo banks $125K, Varner gets $75K". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-02-01.
  29. ↑ Staff (2014-02-24). "Jamie Varner meets James Krause at UFC 173 in Las Vegas". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-02-24.
  30. ↑ Ben Fowlkes (2014-05-24). "Jamie Varner breaks ankle, James Krause gets TKO". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-05-24.
  31. ↑ John Morgan (2014-09-10). "Valley MMA star James Varner to fight in Phoenix UFC event". azcentral.com. Retrieved 2014-09-10.
  32. ↑ MMAjunkie Staff (December 13, 2014). "Jamie Varner calls it a career following UFC on FOX 13 loss". mmajunkie.com.
  33. ↑ https://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news?slug=mmajunkie-Varner_Arizona_Regulation&prov=mmajunkie&type=lgns [ dead link ]
  34. ↑ Bryan Tucker (January 11, 2013). "World MMA Awards 2012 Results". mmafighting.com.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by 5th WEC Lightweight Champion
February 13, 2008 - January 10, 2010		Succeeded by
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