UFC on Fox 4 Update: Varner Replaces Injured Etim, Will Square Off With Lauzon

Promotion officials announced the new lightweight pairing on Wednesday evening after Etim withdrew from the bout. The UFC’s fourth Fox show takes place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Aug. 4 and is headlined by a light heavyweight showdown between Mauricio Rua and Brandon Vera. The card also features another 205-pound tilt, as Lyoto Machida squares off with Ryan Bader.

Varner made an impressive return to the Octagon on May 26, scoring a first-round knockout of the previously unbeaten Edson Barboza at UFC 146. It was Varner’s first UFC bout since a 2007 submission triumph over Jason Gilliam. A former WEC Drew Fickett prior to his upset of Barboza.

Lauzon was last in action at UFC 144, where he had a two-fight winning streak halted by Anthony Pettis. The 28-year-old Massachusetts native had submitted Curt Warburton and Melvin Guillard in his previous two Octagon appearances..