Lauzon headlines “UFC Fight
Night” Feb. 7 vs. Franca on national television
January 5, 2008
(JAN 5) E. BRIDGEWATER, Mass – 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. Source: PR - Bob Trieger
