27-fight UFC vet, bonus magnet signs with BKFC to compete at Fenway Park

Joe Lauzon, a 27-fight UFC veteran and one of mixed martial arts' most consistent bonus earners, has signed with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship and will make his promotional debut at BKFC 92 on August 29 at Fenway Park in Boston.

Lauzon (28–15), now 42, debuted in the UFC in September 2006 at UFC 63 with a stunning 48-second knockout of former lightweight champion Jens Pulver. Though he never captured a UFC title, the Brockton, Massachusetts, native became an all-action fixture known for delivering entertaining fights; he accumulated 15 performance bonus checks over his octagon tenure, including a double-bonus performance in 2012 when he submitted Jamie Varner for both "Fight of the Night" and "Performance of the Night" honors. Lauzon also competed on season five of "The Ultimate Fighter," fighting on Team Penn against Team Pulver—coached by the same Jens Pulver he had knocked out before the show aired.

After a three-fight skid in 2017–2018, Lauzon rebounded by defeating Jonathan Pearce in 93 seconds at UFC Boston in October 2019, a victory he had suggested could be his final fight. Multiple booking attempts with Donald Cerrone in 2022 fell through due to illness and injury, and Lauzon largely stepped away from active competition while remaining in the UFC's drug-testing pool. Whether his UFC contract lapsed or he pursued his release, he is no longer with the promotion.

Lauzon expressed enthusiasm about competing at the iconic ballpark, citing his deep Boston roots and childhood as a Red Sox fan. His opponent at BKFC 92 will be announced at a later date. The event will be headlined by featherweight champion Kai Stewart defending his title against Boston-based challenger Harry Gigliotti.