In Defense of Jamie Varner

It takes a special kind of person to be unanimously hated by everyone. Throughout history it’s almost impossible to think of someone who was hated by everyone. It’s actually impossible. For Jamie Varner though, it just comes naturally. The man can show an incredible amount of heart in the cage and during a post fight interview ruin any goodwill built while the cage door was closed. He’s a pretty good fighter too. He doesn’t fight for decisions and has figured out a nice mix of heavy-handed striking with a very underrated wrestling pedigree.

So why is he hated? He’s a sore loser and an even worse winner. Quotes such as “I came to fight, he came to grapple” after dropping his belt to current WEC Lightweight Champion Ben Henderson in a back and forth fight have been what fans remember most about Varner’s time in the cage. When former Arizona Combat Sports teammates Ryan Bader, CB Dolloway, and Aaron Simpson left the camp to open up their own gym, it was Varner who was outspoken, not the Lally brothers (Operators of ACS) who wished their former fighters luck in their future pursuits.

The fact however, is that Jamie Varner has a natural charisma that most MMA fighters lack. He has an innate ability to make his opponent the good guy, no mater their personality type. He makes fans want to see him lose with his outlandish statements. And the best part is that with him it doesn’t come off as scripted shit talk, he legitimately is shooting from the hip out of a true belief in what he says.

So thank you Jamie Varner, while Ben Henderson goes crazy for Jesus and Donald Cerone speaks in a monotone voice, you make me want to see you get beat up. You may be a piece of shit, but you’re my piece of shit.