Joe Lauzon

Overview

Thirteen finishes in 15 UFC wins, and eight of them came in the first round. Joe Lauzon's record is 15-12, and the shape of it is simple: when his fights end early, they end in his favor.

The Lightweight from Brockton, Massachusetts debuted at UFC 63 in September 2006 and competes out of Lauzon MMA in Easton. His 28-16-0 professional record includes fights outside the UFC. The UFC record is the 15-12.

He is a finisher first and a decision fighter by necessity. Two of his 15 wins went the distance. Six of his 12 losses did too.

UFC Career

The debut set the tone. Lauzon beat Jens Pulver by KO/TKO at 0:48 of round 1, and Pulver was one of the stronger opponents of that stretch. He followed it with submissions of Brandon Melendez and Jason Reinhardt, then headlined a Fight Night against Kenny Florian in April 2008. Florian stopped him in round 2.

The next run was his best. He beat Kyle Bradley by KO/TKO, then submitted Jeremy Stephens at 4:43 of round 2 in another main event. Later came Gabe Ruediger and Curt Warburton by submission, then Melvin Guillard in 0:47 at UFC 136. Guillard was one of the stronger opponents of his career, and it was the fastest finish on his UFC ledger.

The losses show where the ceiling sits. Anthony Pettis stopped him in 1:21 of round 1 at UFC 144. Jim Miller beat him twice, by unanimous decision in 2012 and by split decision in 2016. Both were against an opponent our model rates as strong. Sam Stout and Michael Johnson also took decisions.

He did stay dangerous late. Jamie Varner submitted in round 3 at 2:44, and later wins over Michael Chiesa and Takanori Gomi came by KO/TKO. Diego Sanchez fell in 1:26 of round 1 at UFC 200. His last win in the data is Jonathan Pearce, by KO/TKO at 1:33 of round 1 in October 2019.

He carries a one-fight win streak into his next fight. His longest UFC streak is three.

Fighting Style

Lauzon is a grappler first. He puts takedowns and submissions at the center of his offense, and he hunts for both far more than most fighters do. His striking numbers are modest, so he is not a volume striker. He doesn't land much, and he gets hit more than most. His striking defense and takedown defense both sit around the UFC average.

The finish pattern fits that profile. Seven of his wins came by submission and six by KO/TKO, with only two going to the judges. Eight of his 13 finishes came in round 1, four more in round 2, and one in round 3. The six knockouts show he is more than a one-note submission hunter.

His losses lean the other way: five by KO/TKO, six by decision, and one by submission.

Notable Wins

• Jens Pulver — KO/TKO, round 1 (0:48), UFC 63 (2006)
• Melvin Guillard — submission, round 1 (0:47), UFC 136 (2011)
• Jeremy Stephens — submission, round 2 (4:43), UFC Fight Night: Lauzon vs Stephens (2009)
• Diego Sanchez — KO/TKO, round 1 (1:26), UFC 200 (2016)

Quick Facts

• Division: Lightweight
• UFC record: 15-12
• Professional record (all promotions): 28-16-0
• UFC debut: 2006
• Stance: Orthodox
• Height / reach: 5'10" / 71.5"
• Team: Lauzon MMA - Easton, MA
• Born: Brockton, United States