Joe Lauzon reveals UFC’s reaction to him competing at Fenway Park for BKFC

Joe Lauzon is making his Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship debut on August 29 at Fenway Park in Boston, with his opponent still to be announced. The longtime UFC veteran, who compiled a 15–12 record over more than a decade with the promotion and holds the record for third-most finishes in UFC lightweight history with 13, has signed a multi-fight deal with BKFC despite uncertainty over his UFC contract status.

Lauzon, now 28–15 overall, last competed in 2019. When he approached the UFC about his contract standing, he received encouraging feedback from executive Hunter Campbell and legendary matchmaker Sean Shelby. "We love you," Campbell told him. "Every time you come out, everyone has good things to say about it. Sean Shelby doesn't say good things about anybody, but Sean loves you."

The UFC subsequently sent a letter to both Lauzon and BKFC permitting him to compete on the Fenway card. However, Lauzon remains uncertain whether the letter constitutes a full release from his UFC contract or merely permission to fight in BKFC on that specific event. "Hunter's text was kind of very specific, like, 'You are free to go do BKFC on the Fenway card.' But I don't know if that means I'm fully released or what," Lauzon said. He believes the UFC chose not to formally cut him "out of respect" given his long tenure and reputation for professionalism. The Fenway Park event marks a homecoming of sorts for the Boston-area fighter as he transitions to bare-knuckle boxing.