Not too long ago, veteran UFC lightweight Joe Lauzon’s mindset was that a good opponent was just as important as a meaningful one for his career.

Now, he thinks a little differently. Since the UFC put a premium on its rankings, rewarding fighters for perceived status, he’s looking at the fights that mean the most.

How could he not? They’ll pay off better.

Lauzon (24-9 MMA, 11-6 UFC), who on Saturday meets Al Iaquinta (10-3-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC) at UFC 183, said he usually makes between $20,000 and $30,000 in sponsorship money for his bouts, as opposed to newer fighters, whom he estimates make between $2,000 and $8,000.

On Wednesday, he received a strong indication that his pay could take a big hit. He attended a UFC meeting in which the promotion discussed its new uniform deal with Reebok. The promotion, he said, is taking “a hard stance” on how fighters are compensated for wearing the apparel.

“(UFC middleweight) Ed Herman asked them, ‘I’ve had 17 fights in the UFC – am I going to be the same as someone on their first fight?'” Lauzon today told MMAjunkie Radio. “And they’re like, ‘Yes.'”

UFC 183 takes place at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena. The event’s main card, including Lauzon vs. Iaquinta, airs live on pay-per-view following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass.

The deal, which goes into effect in July, mandates that fighters are compensated according to a tiered system driven by the promotion’s official rankings, which, at this point, are determined by the media.

Lauzon may have 17 fights under his belt, hold the unofficial title of the UFC fighter with the most disclosed performance bonuses, and generally be considered one of the more fan-friendly and well-liked fighters on the UFC’s roster. But when the uniforms go on, he will be on the lowest tier of the compensation ladder.

That means he may get the same amount of money as a fighter with far fewer fights and recognition. He could even make the same as someone from the newly ranked women’s strawweight division, who may have just one octagon bout under her belt.

“(UFC lightweight) Joe Proctor trains at my gym,” Lauzon said. “He was on ‘The Ultimate Fighter,’ had a couple of (UFC) fights. He’s technically unranked; I’m unranked. But I make a lot more sponsors than he does.

“Looking at the new system, we’re going to be on the exact same page, which is pretty crappy.”

Lauzon has worked with the UFC for nine years and generally takes a conciliatory tone toward the promotion, believing its executives have to take a strong stance in the early phases of the deal.

“But I think as time goes on, they’ll fix it,” he said.

Before Reebok, Lauzon said he had an realistic outlook toward his career and was OK with the fact that he likely would never receive a title shot. He would fight on – it was better than his former job.

“I really enjoy what I’m doing,” he said. “I love fighting for fans. It’s a lot better than going back to computer science.”

Now, though, he said he is more concerned than ever about the UFC’s rankings. While he doesn’t want to jump to conclusions about how a shift from independent to promotion-controlled sponsorships might affect his bottom line, he eagerly awaits the final numbers for each tier of compensation.

“They’re telling us that they’re going to give us some kind of numbers, or we’ll have some kind of distinction, in May,” he said. “So that will be when you can say this is good, and this is bad, and anything could change at the drop of a hat.”

The UFC implemented its own official rankings in 2013, asking select media members to vote on the top 15 fighters in each of its weight divisions. Over the next year, the lists attracted widespread criticism for inconsistencies and apparently arbitrary rankings. MMAjunkie, which declined to participate in voting, questioned whether the promotion was using them punitively in the case of a contract dispute with one very popular fighter.

Under the Reebok deal, Lauzon’s longevity and reputation mean very little to his bottom line. And yet for a fighter like him, those things are exactly what the UFC trades upon. Fans know that while he isn’t necessarily a titleholder, he’s a fighter with a history of putting on exciting bouts.

Lauzon may not be the sole reason for purchasing an event on pay-per-view, but he’s certainly a contributing one.

“Until now, I’ve gotten paid less per fight, but I’ve gotten good matchups,” he said. “I’ve had good, exciting fights. I’m not trying to fight a guy in the top-five every single time. If it’s a guy that’s ranked No. 10, that’s cool. If it’s a guy that’s unranked, that’s cool.

“But now, with the rankings, I feel like I’m going to want to fight tougher guys.”

As Lauzon is fit, he’ll likely have a job with the UFC. He’s a fighter’s fighter, and more often that not, his bouts offer exciting finishes. Ironically, it’s his recent shift that could wind up shortening his career the most.

For more on UFC 183, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

MMAjunkie Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show, available on SiriusXM channel 92, is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia and producer Brian “Goze” Garcia. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.