UFC lightweight Joe Lauzon (22-7) earned his eight and ninth “Fight Night” bonuses Saturday night following his third round submission victory over former WEC champ Jamie Varner, walking away with $100,000.
UFC president Dana White announced the “Fight Night” winners, awarding Lauzon, Varner, and Mike Swick with an extra $50,000 for each bonus.
Joe Lauzon earned the “Submission of the Night,” while he and Jamie Varner both received the “Fight of the Night” bonus, leaving the “Knockout of the Night” bonus in Mike Swick’s hands.
UFC on FOX: Shogun vs. Vera went down August 4, 2012 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California with the main card airing live on FOX television and the prelim card on FUEL TV.
White also announced the attendance total, with 16,080 fans in attendance and a live gate of roughly $1.1 million.
Lauzon and Varner would entertain fans for most of three rounds with each man landing strikes and takedowns. In the third round Varner would score another takedown but would end up swept and would almost have his back taken. Varner would turn to avoid the attack and would end in a triangle choke by Lauzon. The former WEC champ would refuse to tap leaving Lauzon no choice but to land a few elbows and adjust the submission. The tap would come at 2:44 of the third round putting Lauzon back into the win column.
Swick faced DaMarques Johnson in the opening FOX televised match, stepping into the Octagon for the first time since February 2010. ‘Quick’ would score early in the fight with a big knee but was unable to capitalize. Both would continue to trade in the first round but Swick would end up on the bottom at the end of the round fighting off a D’Arce choke submission from Johnson. In the second, Johnson would attempt a right kick which was caught by Swick who subsequently dumped his opponent on the mat. ‘Quick’ would follow it up with a diving right hand which would land flush knocking out Johnson cold. A couple more punches would land before referee Herb Dean jumps in to stop the fight at 1:20 of the second round.