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Lauzon Set to Headline Ultimate Fight Night
POSTED: January 5, 2009 - 4:30 pm
CATEGORIES: MMA
E. BRIDGEWATER, Mass. (January 5, 2009) – UFC lightweight sensation Joe “J-Lau” Lauzon fights once again in the main event February 7, headlining “UFC Fight Night” on Spike TV against fellow Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist Hermes Franca, live from the Sun Dome in Tampa, Florida.
Lauzon (17-4, 5 KOs, 12 submissions), star of The Ultimate Fighter 5 television reality show, last headlined April 2, 2008 Joe in disappointing loss by second-round TKO to fellow Massachusetts fighter Kenny Florian on UFC Fight Night 13 in Denver. “J-Lau” bounced right back this past September, registering an impressive second-round stoppage of Kyle Bradley (13-6) on UFC Fight Night 15 in Omaha, Nebraska.
“It’s kind of weird,” Lauzon said, “but I’ve gone from undercard to main event, back to undercard, and now main event again. I’m not complaining at all. This is a huge fight for me, second only to my main event in Denver, which was more personal with both of us (Lauzon and Florian) from Massachusetts.”
Former UFC lightweight title challenger Franca (20-7), fighting out of Juniper, Florida by way of his native Brazil, is a former WEC and AFC champion. His most notable victories to date include a knockout of former UFC lightweight title challenger Caol Uno five years ago and third round submission (arm-bar) Jamie Varner in 2006. In his UFC championship fight in 2007 against Sean Sherck, Franca lost a 5-round decision on UFC 73 - Stacked. In his last action (July 19, 2008), Hermes won a 3-round decision versus Frankie Edgar on UFC Fight Night 14.
“This fight will be different than the one against Florian,” Lauzon promised. “I’m going to push the pace, be more aggressive. He’s a counter-puncher who likes his opponents to come to him. He’s a good defensive fighter, very good in every way. We’re both dangerous. It’s going to be fast-paced, a real dog fight.”
In addition to starring on The Ultimate Fighter 5, Lauzon caught the attention of MMA fans around the world, when as a 7-1 underdog in his UFC debut (September 23, 2006 in UFC 63), he shockingly stopped former UFC champion Jens “Little Evil” Pulver (21-7-1) at 43 seconds of the opening round.
COMMENTS (9): Submit A Comment
1. My name
January 5, 2009 - 5:10 pm
Whoever wrote this made a mistake - in his last fight Franca beat Marcus Aurelio, he lost a UD to Frankie Edgar
2. OSH ryan
January 5, 2009 - 5:27 pm
plus this fight was annouced a for some time now. Nothing new
3. Jerome in Whitby
January 5, 2009 - 10:34 pm
Lauzon has future champion written all over him. He has a great attitude - a gentle and resonable fellow outside the Octagon, and then when the door closes he looks to take the other guy's head off. If he keeps his discipline he will wear gold in a few years.
4. Jerome in Whitby
January 5, 2009 - 10:46 pm
And whats with the two PPV in January? If the UFC wants 90+ dollars from me in a month they better have a title fight on both cards. Sure Franklin vs. Henderson looks to be a good fight. But there is no way I am dropping a c-note in one month to watch ta solid mid card on one PPV and the main event on another. Personally, the UFC get one buy from me and its to watch the talented and hardworking St. Pierre put the talented and lazy Penn in his place.
5. OSH ryan
January 6, 2009 - 1:00 pm
My girl was saying the same thing Jerome. I agree as well. If the UFC wants me to buy then at least put two firghts on the same card that I want to see. Dont really care for the Frankling vs Henderson but wouldnt mind watching the Coleman vs Rua rematch but i dont think I will be ordering that one. I will be droolling untill I get to see GSP put a stopping on the over hyped Penn
6. beavers
January 6, 2009 - 10:11 pm
I think Franca will win that fight. How can you see the Sengoku event?
7. D.G.
January 7, 2009 - 1:27 am
While great fighters, Franklin and Henderson are both past their prime. I don't see them winning a belt, at either 185 or 205. Depending where they mood takes them. I don't understand Penn's logic. He's always been UBER soft at 170, and lacking in wins. St. Pierre is natually 170, and smokes that division. I don't see the result being any different than the last one. Franca and Lauzon should be an awesome scrap.
8. OSH ryan
January 7, 2009 - 8:08 am
Penn has lost his two last fights at 170 and does not deserve a chance to massage his ego into getting a title shot at GSP. D.G. is right about GSP winning but this time it will be a total destruction of Penn.
9. OSH ryan
January 7, 2009 - 8:10 am
and Franca and Lauzon will be a good one. I see Franca winning if he keeps his head on and not try to do to much. If so Lauzon will submitt him in 3rd
