Jamie Varner’s Career Continues, Cerrone Rematch Possible
Jamie Varner
After an errant knee forced the judges to render an early decision in the lightweight title fight between Jamie Varner and Donald Cerrone at WEC 38 on January 25th, there were reports that Varner may have suffered a career ending eye injury. Those concerns were laid to rest yesterday, according to MMAWeekly. On Thursday, Varner passed an eye-exam which will pave the way for the California State Athletic Commission letting him off of the indefinite suspension he was placed on following the fight.
According to Varner, his vision is not as good as it used to be, but is still 20/20 and good enough to fight. (He claims it was previously 20/15). Now he’s got to heal up from the broken hand and foot that he suffered during his successful title defense before he can return to action:
On Monday, Varner will get the pins removed from his right hand, after which he will undergo four weeks of physical therapy. For his foot, he alternates between limping and a single crutch, and says he will be able to run and kick when the swelling comes down.
Though he was prescribed Vicodin for his injuries, he opted not to take the strong pain medication.
“I don’t take pills,” he said. “I don’t take any meds. When they set my finger after the fight, they wanted to put me under. I come from a long history of drug addicts. My parents are both recovering addicts and alcoholics, so I just try to stay away from everything.”
Though neither a date nor an opponent has been determined for Varner’s return, MMA Junkie is reporting that it could be late summer in a rematch with Cerrone.
Tags: Donald Cerrone, Jamie Varner
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Good for him, I haven’t been a Varner fan since his UFC debut at UFC 68, he’s got really cocky tendencies, but glad his career isn’t over do to an illegal blow. I hope they can set up a rematch, I feel Cerrone had a hard time letting go in that fight. We’ll see what happends though.
Glad to hear that Jamie Varner is going to be back, and extremely glad that he has chosen to stay away from the meds. Knowing his family background and making the choice that he did, shows maturity. Way to go brother!
I am also glad to see Varner getting back on track and it is a very wise personal choice to stay away from those painkillers…cheers
Would like to see Varner/Cerrone 2 and hopefully the Cowboy has been working on his takedown defense.
I would love to see a rematch…I feel like he derserves one because of the “gray-ish” rule that cost Cerrone. To the best of my knowledge, Varner got off of the ground, at that split second, Cerone threw his knee, only to have it connect a split second after Varner’s leg touched the mat again. (is it technically a “mat”?)
Thoughts??
More people use the term “canvas”, mats are used for wrestling. Cerrone’s knee appeared to brush the side of his eye, but since it was from an angled camera point, could have actually hit more. Cerrone was just starting to turn it on and since Varner had a broken foot and hand, this was the perfect opportunity for the fight to be stopped and he get the win. Cerrone needs to come out again and stalk Varner and work more with GSP on takedown defense.
It’s tough, becuse when the knee was being thrown Varner was up, but by the time it hit him (I can’t think of a more vulnerable spot to take a knee…well, exept for the obvious one) Varner’s leg touched the canvas. (thanks)
You also have to remember that Varner was taking Cerrone down and controlling the ground game very well during the fight. Even Cerrone was shocked he was ahead on one of the judges score cards. He has a few areas to improve on and will get to the point where he dominates the LW division in the WEC.
Good for Varner…Hes a warrior man, he put everything on the line that night and then got booed at the end, that was such bull****. It was even a great fight and they still booed him. I do kinda felt like he quit tho…but hell who wouldn’t with a broken hand, foot and ****ed up vision. I like both fighters, can’t wait for the rematch.
I was blown away when I heard that Cerrone was ahead on one of the cards. The announcing made it sound as if the fight was close. It wasn’t. The first four rounds were all Varner, even though he broke his hand and foot. I think even Cerrone was blown away when he heard that one of the cards had him ahead. I do think that Varner did a horrible acting job and just bought his way out. I thought his whining “I can’t see” and then being unable to put on his sweatshirt was poor. I’ve been winded before and felt like I was going to pass out but I never recovered so quickly to then address the crowd with a half pained look on my face knowing that nobody would buy the act… good fight, great domination by Varner but that Cerrone has talent. With a decent coach he’d probably rock the smaller Varner.