Joe Lauzon has spoken publicly about his decision to compete again, choosing bare-knuckle boxing under the BKFC banner for his return. Lauzon also addressed what the UFC told him when he sought permission to take the fight.
Joe Lauzon has opened up about his decision to step back into competition, revealing he will return to action under the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship banner and detailing the conversation he had with the UFC before committing to the fight.
Lauzon, 42, is one of the most recognizable names in UFC lightweight history. The Massachusetts-born fighter carries a professional record of 28 wins and 16 losses and has long been affiliated with Lauzon MMA. Standing five-foot-ten with a 71-inch reach, he built his reputation as a relentlessly entertaining competitor, averaging 2.84 significant strikes landed per minute across his career. His grappling credentials are equally notable, with 2.39 takedowns and 2.0 submission attempts per 15 minutes, numbers that reflect a well-rounded fighter comfortable finishing bouts in multiple ways.
In his public comments, Lauzon addressed the steps he took before signing with BKFC, including reaching out to the UFC to seek permission for the bare-knuckle bout. He discussed the organization's response as part of his explanation for how the return came together.
Why it matters
- Lauzon's return at 42 marks a notable comeback for a fan-favorite lightweight with deep ties to the UFC roster
- His choice of BKFC over a traditional MMA bout represents a shift in format for a fighter defined by submission grappling and active striking
- The UFC's response to his permission request adds a layer of organizational intrigue to what might otherwise be a straightforward comeback story
- Bare-knuckle competition strips away gloves, putting Lauzon's 39 percent striking accuracy under a different kind of pressure than MMA exchanges
