Jamie Varner

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American mixed martial arts fighter

title: "Jamie Varner" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1984-births", "living-people", "sportspeople-from-glendale,-arizona", "mixed-martial-artists-from-arizona", "american-male-mixed-martial-artists", "lightweight-mixed-martial-artists", "mixed-martial-artists-utilizing-collegiate-wrestling", "mixed-martial-artists-utilizing-brazilian-jiu-jitsu", "world-extreme-cagefighting-champions", "ultimate-fighting-championship-male-fighters", "american-male-sport-wrestlers", "amateur-wrestlers", "american-practitioners-of-brazilian-jiu-jitsu"] description: "American mixed martial arts fighter" topic_path: "technology/web" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamie_Varner" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary American mixed martial arts fighter ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox martial artist"]

FieldValue
nameJamie Varner
imageJamie Varner.jpg
image_size200px
birth_date
birth_placePhoenix, Arizona, U.S.
death_date
other_namesC-4
height
weight156 lb
weight_classLightweight
Welterweight
reach72 in
rankBrown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Gustavo Dantas
fighting_out_ofGlendale, Arizona, U.S.
teamArizona Combat Sports
MMA Lab
years_active2003–2014
mma_kowin7
mma_subwin11
mma_decwin3
mma_koloss2
mma_subloss5
mma_decloss4
mma_draw1
mma_nc2
universityLock Haven University
schoolDeer Valley High School
sherdog7168
updatedSeptember 09, 2009
::

| name = Jamie Varner | image = Jamie Varner.jpg | image_size = 200px | alt = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = | birth_place = Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | death_cause = | other_names = C-4 | residence = | nationality = | height = | weight = 156 lb | weight_class = Lightweight Welterweight | reach = 72 in | style = | rank = Brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Gustavo Dantas | stance = | fighting_out_of = Glendale, Arizona, U.S. | team = Arizona Combat Sports MMA Lab | trainer = | years_active = 2003–2014 | mma_kowin = 7 | mma_subwin = 11 | mma_decwin = 3 | mma_koloss = 2 | mma_subloss = 5 | mma_decloss = 4 | mma_draw = 1 | mma_nc = 2 | occupation = | university = Lock Haven University | spouse = | relatives = | students = | club = | school = Deer Valley High School | url = | boxrec = | sherdog = 7168 | footnotes = | updated = September 09, 2009

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

Background

Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Varner attended Deer Valley High School where he competed in wrestling. 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.

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. 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. 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.

Varner was expected to face Kamal Shalorus on April 24, 2010 at WEC 48, 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. The match ended in a split draw.

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

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

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, but the bout did not materialize.

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

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. 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. 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. Varner broke his hand in the second round 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 and a Fight of the Year nomination at the World MMA Awards.

Varner was scheduled to face Melvin Guillard on December 15, 2012 at the Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale. 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. 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. He lost the fight via split decision.

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

Varner faced Abel Trujillo on February 1, 2014 at UFC 169, replacing Bobby Green. 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.

Varner faced James Krause on May 24, 2014 at UFC 173. 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.

Varner next fought Drew Dober on December 13, 2014 at UFC on Fox 13. 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.

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.

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

| draws= 1 | nc= 2 | ko-wins= 7 | ko-losses= 2 | sub-wins= 11 | sub-losses= 5 | dec-wins= 3 | dec-losses= 4 | dq-wins= | dq-losses= | other-wins=

other-losses=
Loss
align=center
Drew Dober
Submission (rear-naked choke)
UFC on Fox: dos Santos vs. Miocic

| | align=center| 1 | align=center| 1:52 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |- | Loss | align=center| 21–10–1 (2) | James Krause | TKO (ankle injury) | UFC 173 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- | Loss | align=center| 21–9–1 (2) | Abel Trujillo | KO (punch) | UFC 169 | | align=center| 2 | align=center| 2:32 | Newark, New Jersey, United States

Fight of the Night.
Loss
align=center
Gleison Tibau
Decision (split)
UFC 164

| | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 21–7–1 (2) | Melvin Guillard | Decision (split) | UFC 155 | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- | Loss | align=center| 20–7–1 (2) | Joe Lauzon | Submission (triangle choke) | UFC on Fox: Shogun vs. Vera | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 2:44 | Los Angeles, California, United States

Fight of the Night; Fight of the Year (2012).
Win
align=center
Edson Barboza
TKO (punches)
UFC 146

| | align=center| 1 | align=center| 3:23 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

2012 Upset of the Year.
Win
align=center
Drew Fickett
Submission (punches)
XFC 16

| | align=center| 1 | align=center| 0:40 | Knoxville, Tennessee, United States

160 lb Catchweight.
Win
align=center
Nate Jolly
KO (punches)
XFC 14

| | align=center| 1 | align=center| 1:09 | Orlando, Florida, United States

160 lb Catchweight.
Loss
align=center
Dakota Cochrane
Decision (unanimous)
Titan FC 20

| | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Kansas City, Kansas, United States

165 lb Catchweight.
Win
align=center
Tyler Combs
Submission (north-south choke)
XFO 39

| | align=center| 1 | align=center| 1:30 | Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States

Welterweight bout.
Loss
align=center
Shane Roller
Submission (rear-naked choke)
WEC 53

| | align=center| 1 | align=center| 3:55 | Glendale, Arizona, United States | |- | Loss | align=center| 16–4–1 (2) | Donald Cerrone | Decision (unanimous) | WEC 51 | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States

Fight of the Night.
Draw
align=center
Kamal Shalorus
Draw (split)
WEC 49

| | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Shalorus had one point deducted in round two for illegal groin kicks.
Loss
align=center
Benson Henderson
Submission (guillotine choke)
WEC 46

| | align=center| 3 | align=center| 2:41 | Sacramento, California, United States

Lost the WEC Lightweight Championship.
Win
align=center
Donald Cerrone
Technical Decision (split)
WEC 38

| | align=center| 5 | align=center| 3:10 | San Diego, California, United States

Defended the WEC Lightweight Championship; Fight of the Night.
Win
align=center
Marcus Hicks
TKO (punches)
WEC 35

| | align=center| 1 | align=center| 2:08 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Defended the WEC Lightweight Championship.
Win
align=center
Rob McCullough
TKO (punches)
WEC 32

| | align=center| 3 | align=center| 2:54 | Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States

Won the WEC Lightweight Championship.
Win
align=center
Sherron Leggett
TKO (punches and elbows)
WEC 29

| | align=center| 1 | align=center| 4:08 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 12–2 (2) | Jason Gilliam | Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC 68 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 1:34 | Columbus, Ohio, United States | |- | Loss | align=center| 11–2 (2) | Hermes França | Submission (armbar) | UFC 62 | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 3:31 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Fight of the Night.
Win
align=center
Leonard Wilson
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Rage in the Cage 78

| | align=center| 2 | align=center| 1:07 | Glendale, Arizona, United States | |- | NC | align=center| 10–1 (2) | Tony Llamas | No Contest | KOTC 56: Caliente | | align=center| N/A | align=center| N/A | Globe, Arizona, United States

Llamas injured by an illegal strike.
Win
align=center
Paul Arroyo
Submission (punches)
Rage in the Cage 71

| | align=center| 1 | align=center| 2:03 | Tempe, Arizona, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 9–1 (1) | Adam Roland | TKO (punches) | Rage in the Cage 70 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 2:46 | Glendale, Arizona, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 8–1 (1) | Jesse Bongfeldt | TKO (punches) | WFF 7: Professional Shooto | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 4:12 | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | |- | Win | align=center| 7–1 (1) | Kyle Bradley | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Fight Factory | | align=center| 2 | align=center| 2:34 | N/A | |- | Win | align=center| 6–1 (1) | Kyle Sprouse | Submission (choke) | RITC 63: It's Time | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 1:47 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 5–1 (1) | Garett Davis | Submission (triangle choke) | World Freestyle Fighting 6 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 3:52 | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | |- | NC | align=center| 4–1 (1) | James Upshur | No Contest | RITC 61: Relentless | | align=center| 2 | align=center| N/A | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 4–1 | Jarvis Brennaman | Submission (triangle choke) | ECS: Evolution | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 1:22 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 3–1 | Dave Klein | Submission (choke) | RITC 50: The Prelude | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 1:56 | Tucson, Arizona, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 2–1 | Justin Nauling | Submission (armbar) | RITC 49: Stare Down | | align=center| 2 | align=center| 0:38 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |- | Loss | align=center| 1–1 | Jesse Moreng | Decision (unanimous) | RITC 47: Unstoppable | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 3:00 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 1–0 | Carlos Ortega | Decision (unanimous) | RITC 46: Launching Pad | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 3:00 | Tempe, Arizona, United States |

References

References

  1. "Fight Card - UFC 173 Barao vs. Dillashaw". [[Ultimate Fighting Championship.
  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.
  4. "Jamie Varner - Impact MMA".
  5. "411Mania".
  6. "Donald Cerrone expected to fight champ Jamie Varner at WEC 38 {{!}} MMAjunkie.com".
  7. Adam Wagner. (2009-11-02). "WEC 46: 'Varner vs Henderson' announced for Arco Arena on Jan. 10". mmmamania.com.
  8. Ray Hui. (2010-01-10). "WEC 46: Ben Henderson Submits Jamie Varner, Unifies Lightweight Belts". mmafighting.com.
  9. "Jamie Varner vs. Kamal Shalorus likely for WEC 48 PPV main card". mmajunkie.com.
  10. (2010-04-15). "WEC 49: 'Varner vs Shalorus' official for June 20 in Edmonton". mmamania.com.
  11. (2010-07-20). "VARNER VS. CERRONE 2 SIGNED FOR WEC 51". mmaweekly.com.
  12. (October 22, 2010). "Jamie Varner To Face Shane Roller at WEC 53". mmaweekly.com.
  13. (December 28, 2010). "Former WEC Champion Jamie Varner Released From WEC/UFC Following Loss". mmaweekly.com.
  14. (May 6, 2011). "Shinya Aoki Will Fight at Dream 17; McKee and Varner Possible Opponents (UPDATED)". mmaweekly.com.
  15. "Archived copy".
  16. (18 December 2011). "Jamie Varner signs new deal with the Xtreme Fighting Championships".
  17. Tom Ngo. (May 1, 2012). "Jamie Varner Replaces Injured Evan Dunham at UFC 146". 5thround.com.
  18. "Archived copy".
  19. Damon Martin. (2012-08-05). "Jamie Varner Suffers Broken Hand in 2nd Round Against Joe Lauzon". MMAWeekly.com.
  20. "UFC on FOX: Shogun vs Vera Post-fight Press Conference".
  21. (27 December 2012). "Reminder: Final week to vote for 2012 World MMA Awards".
  22. (November 1, 2012). "Melvin Guillard vs. Jamie Varner added to TUF 16 Finale in December". mmajunkie.com.
  23. (December 15, 2012). "Illness forces Jamie Varner out of Melvin Guillard fight". mmafighting.com.
  24. (June 19, 2013). "Lightweights Jamie Varner and Gleison Tibau set for UFC 164 in Milwaukee". mmajunkie.com.
  25. (October 6, 2013). "Pat Healy vs. Jamie Varner added to December's UFC on FOX 9 event". mmajunkie.com.
  26. Tim Burke. (12 November 2013). "Bobby Green in for Jamie Varner, will face Pat Healy at UFC on Fox 9". bloodyelbow.com.
  27. Staff. (2013-12-31). "Abel Trujillo gets new opponent for UFC 169 main card". MMAjunkie.com.
  28. Matt Erickson. "UFC 169 bonuses: Abel Trujillo banks $125K, Varner gets $75K". mmajunkie.com.
  29. Staff. (2014-02-24). "Jamie Varner meets James Krause at UFC 173 in Las Vegas". mmajunkie.com.
  30. Ben Fowlkes. (2014-05-24). "Jamie Varner breaks ankle, James Krause gets TKO". mmajunkie.com.
  31. John Morgan. (2014-09-10). "Valley MMA star James Varner to fight in Phoenix UFC event". azcentral.com.
  32. MMAjunkie Staff. (December 13, 2014). "Jamie Varner calls it a career following UFC on FOX 13 loss". mmajunkie.com.
  33. (February 2022)
  34. Thomas Gerbasi. (January 2, 2013). "Ten Best - 2012 Upsets of the Year". [[Ultimate Fighting Championship]].
  35. Thomas Gerbasi. (December 26, 2014). "Top Ten - The Fights of 2014". [[Ultimate Fighting Championship]].
  36. Bryan Tucker. (January 11, 2013). "World MMA Awards 2012 Results". mmafighting.com.
  37. (2013-01-14). "Bloody Elbow 2012 Year-End Awards - Results".
  38. (January 15, 2013). "FIGHT! Magazine Awards 2012".
  39. Wellman, Mike. "MMA in 2014: The 10 Best Fights".

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1984-birthsliving-peoplesportspeople-from-glendale,-arizonamixed-martial-artists-from-arizonaamerican-male-mixed-martial-artistslightweight-mixed-martial-artistsmixed-martial-artists-utilizing-collegiate-wrestlingmixed-martial-artists-utilizing-brazilian-jiu-jitsuworld-extreme-cagefighting-championsultimate-fighting-championship-male-fightersamerican-male-sport-wrestlersamateur-wrestlersamerican-practitioners-of-brazilian-jiu-jitsu