When Joe Lauzon participated in the Ultimate Fighter season five reality show, it gave him a chance to receive some world class mixed-martial-arts training from former UFC Champions, BJ Penn and Jens Pulver. Since Lauzon already stopped Pulver in his UFC debut, he volunteered himself to be a part of Penn’s team. Under Penn, Lauzon thrived and a bond was made between to the two fighters. This lead to Penn inviting Lauzon to come to Hawaii for extended training. Will this move pay off as Lauzon will fight undefeated Jason Reinhardt at UFC 78: Validation in Newark, New Jersey? Here is what Lauzon told ADCC News in this Q&A.
Season five had a list of characters. If you could take one person from that show and beat the crap out of them, who would it be.
If I could take one person from the show and beat the crap out of them, it would have to be “Cakezilla”. I have had some words back and forth with Gabe Ruediger, both hostile and friendly. I have been cool to him and talked to him on the phone a few times, but have called him out on his bullsh** when he tried to make excuses or whatever. Then he said something along the lines of "My only regret about being kicked out of the UFC is not being able to fight all of the other guys in the house. But hey Joe, where is your brother fighting?" He crossed a line and brought my family into it, which was a big mistake, in particular because "the Upgrade" (Dan Lauzon) would sleep him before the fight hit the ground. The other guys have all been pretty cool.
That season also lead you to join your new MMA team with BJ Penn. How did that feel to have someone like BJ Penn ask you to be a part of his team?
I went and did the show because of BJ. For a long time, BJ was one of my favorite fighters because he was just amazing at everything he did. When I heard they were doing lightweights and BJ and Jens were going to be coaches, I had mixed feelings. I knew it would be weird being on Jens' team because I had just beat him and then calling him coach wasn't something I really wanted, and I am sure he felt the same way. I wouldn't want to be coaching someone that just beat me. The chance to train with BJ though was something I couldn't pass up. To have BJ invite me to come out and train with him was a huge opportunity. It made me think a lot of the decision I had about doing the show or not, but I had great results from doing the show so I knew this was the right move.
What was the hardest part about leaving your home and moving to Hawaii?
The hardest part about leaving home is missing all of the guys on my team. Joe Pomfret, my trainer back home, is still there but I was kind of the "go to" guy on decisions on fights and training the MMA team. I talked to Joe and he said he had a talk with the guys about how it was going to be different without me there, but I was busy doing my thing out here. Not being there for those guys has been tough, but they are doing alright. We had an off night and one of the guys on the team texted me: "Maybe we would have done better if you had been here" and that really annoyed me. Was hard enough not being there and he has to go and pull that. Even if it was a joke, when I get home the kid is the getting the beating of his life.
What is the training experience like thus far with BJ and the rest of his team and do you have a comfort level with guys like Tony DeSouza also preparing for UFC bouts?
It's great training with BJ and all of the guys. From day one they have all been really cool and treated me like family and you can really tell how close everyone is around here. There are always guys in the gym getting ready for fights so there is never a shortage of training partners looking for a good workout. Everyone knows about BJ but most don't know how incredible all of his brothers are too. Regan, Jay Dee and Jay are all complete nightmares in training on top of guys like Tony. I can walk into the gym and just pick from one of many to kick my ass on any given night. I wouldn't have it any other way.
I know that record is about to get its first blemish. 18 wins and zero losses is a great record, but the fact that he hasn't stepped into the ring or cage with someone that could take him past the second rounds shows the level of competition he has faced. Now maybe he is the next big thing, but I highly doubt it, and I will show everyone exactly that. I wasn't intimidated by Jens Pulver making my UFC debut against the former Lightweight Champ, and I am sure as hell not going to be intimidated by someone with a 100% padded record that has never faced the level of competition that I am going to bring. No one has stopped him yet, but I am going to be the first. It’s about time he turned in his "Undefeated Club" membership card.
15 of his 18 victories have come by a submission. Do you think this fight could take place primarily on the ground where you can employ some ground-and-pound or submissions?
I am preparing for standup, being on top and being on my back. I think the fight will end up on the ground one way or another, and no matter where we end up, its bad news for Jason. From the bottom, I will sweep or submit. From the top, I will pound him out or pound him until he gives me the submission. I think I am more known knocking out Jens and my ground and pound, but my submissions are my bread and butter. Of my 15 wins, 12 have come by submission.
So it’s safe to say that you’re predicting a victory.
I predict an ass whooping. I am bringing the fight with Jason and will put the pressure on and we will see how long it takes until he cracks. BJ, Rudy and everyone else has been getting me ready for this fight and it’s the first time I have been able to 100% focus on training and not have to deal with work or cameras in my face. You can expect a furious pace from bell to bell and at the end, I'm going to be looking into the camera with that stupid smirk on my face with my hand raised.
I know fighters take fights one at a time, but a lot of fans would like to see you fight Spencer Fisher who is also fighting on the same card. You beat his teammate and he beat your brother. If you both win, do you want that fight.
Spencer and I will meet, but I don't know when. I'm not going to make the mistake of talking about fights down the line. As the great Tyler Durden said: "One fight at a time".
Thanks for your time Joe and we wish you luck in your fight. Do you have anything to say to your fans or sponsors?
Thanks man. I just want to send a big thanks out to Sprawl for being there since the beginning. I was just doing NAGA competitions and sent them a video of me wearing their shorts and winning my division, and they have been sponsoring me ever since. They make the best shorts and have been great to me and my brother and I can't thank them enough.
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Flashing Blade
