Drew Fickett vs Jaime Varner training video

According to Drew Fickett, who will be facing Jaime Varner tonight, February 10th, 2012 at XFC 16 High Stakes: "...it's about Athleticism, not the Limelight." Local Knoxville area MMA fans can start heading on over to Knoxville Civic Coliseum in Knoxville, TN to pick up tickets, or order them online from OfficialXFC.com. If you are unable to attend the event in person, you can watch it live from HDnet!

On the main card, Drew Fickett will face Jamie Varner. This fight promises to be a good match, as these two fighters came up together out of Arizona, fighting on smaller shows, before each went on to find success on a national level. To his credit, Fickett has fought and defeated such notable MMA professionals as Josh Koscheck, Josh Neer, and Kurt Pelligrino in the UFC, while Varner burned through the WEC lighweight division, earning that lightweight title. Not an easy feat - Varner managed to remain the WEC lightweight division champion for up to two years!

This fight is all about the student, Varner - fighting the Master, Fickett. Kind of like when a son realizes he's a man, but he still has to prove it to his father.

"I just want to set things straight," explains Fickett. "It just sucks. I mentored the kid and now I have to beat his ass. Hopefully I can, to teach him a lesson. The sport isn't about being a fighter. It's about being a good person too. In my mind Jamie has become 'Hollywood' and selfish. He's in love with being a fighter. I fight because I like the sport. I wish more people took it seriously instead of just wearing a Tapout shirt and want to 'flaunt being a fighter.'"

To emphasize his feelings of disdain for Varner, Fickett recently created some videos and placed them on Youtube, poking fun at "C-4." To date there are 6 videos, and while I'm not sure if Varner has seen them, I'm not sure if a true Master would really make videos intended to belittle his grasshopper as he has done - what do you think?

Fickett remarked: "There is a lot of animosity on my part because I've mentored a lot of kids like Efrain Escudero and Dominick Cruz and they've gone on to do big things, but they've had moments of being starstuck. I came up the hard way. I made it into the UFC after 27 fights. I like the sport and I wish and hope that fighters would respect the fact that they are athletes and realize it's not about being all glamorous. It's about being an athlete and a good person. At the end of the day I have nothing but love for Jamie but I want to beat his ass as a spectacular Athlete not a 'Fighter'".

In the videos, Fickett hints that he's been slacking off, taking naps and eating an unhealthy diet - but perhaps his intention is to throw off Varner. Fickett says he will be ready for the Main Event Friday night in Knoxville for XFC 16: "I was having some fun with the Youtube videos," said Fickett. "I see Jamie as being Hollywood and this and that. It pisses me off. Everything he's about. And I wanted to have some fun and get in his head hopefully."

I've posted the most recent video, #6, but you can go here to view all the videos and tell me what you think: Fickett or Varner?

"I'm ready to rock," said Fickett, "I've been disciplined and dieting for this fight. I've been doing things I've never done before. I'm really excited and I'm going to show the fans and Mr. Prisco that they are getting their money's worth. I'm going to show the world that Drew Fickett is back. I appreciate the XFC giving me the opportunity and I can't wait to get in the cage on HDnet Friday."

For Tennessee fans, you'll get to see quite a few of your favorite MMA fighters! Take a look below at all the fighters you've been watching for the past few years, and be sure to attend XFC 16 to support them by attending the event. LET'S SHOW John Prisco and XFC that Knoxville LOVES them and MMA! Then maybe it won't take two years before they come back to town with another show!

Live on HDNet Card