UFC"J-Lau"Joe Lauzon Record: 28-15-0
LightweightRecord28-15-0
Age42
DivisionLightweight
Combat Edge Elo1649
Last fight2022.06.18
Joe Lauzon has a 28-15-0 professional record and is 42 years old in the Lightweight division, representing Lauzon MMA. This profile tracks fight history, UFC stats, ELO rating, record, age, and opponent links.
Last updated Jun 17, 2026 · Combat Edge fight database
Joe Lauzon bio
Personal background
Joe Lauzon, the submission-savvy UFC lightweight nicknamed "J-Lau," was born on May 22, 1984, and grew up in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. As much known for his brains as his fighting, Lauzon earned a bachelor's degree in computer science from the Wentworth Institute of Technology, balancing tech work with a fight career in his early years. He founded and runs Lauzon MMA in Bridgewater, where he has long trained alongside his younger brother and fellow UFC veteran Dan Lauzon. A relentless grappler at 5'10", Joe built his game around aggressive jiu-jitsu, frantic scrambles and a finish-or-bust mentality that, combined with a willingness to bleed and brawl, made him one of the most exciting and fan-beloved lightweights of his era.
Path to the UFC
Lauzon turned professional in 2004 and racked up finishes on the New England regional scene, submitting and stopping a string of opponents including an early win over Mike Brown. He weathered losses to future standouts Jorge Masvidal, Ivan Menjivar and Raphael Assunção along the way. Then, in September 2006, the relative unknown shocked the MMA world, knocking out former UFC lightweight champion Jens Pulver in the first round at UFC 63 in one of the era's signature upsets.
The Ultimate Fighter and UFC rise
That win earned Lauzon a spot on The Ultimate Fighter Season 5 in 2007, coached by Pulver himself. He submitted Brian Geraghty and stopped Cole Miller before falling to Manny Gamburyan. He bounced back to submit unbeaten Jason Reinhardt at UFC 78, then armbarred Jeremy Stephens in 2009. A 2008 loss to top contender Kenny Florian marked his ceiling, but Lauzon kept thrilling fans.
Bonus king and fan favorite
Lauzon's prime delivered some of the UFC's most memorable scraps. He submitted Melvin Guillard in 2011 and triangled Jamie Varner in 2012, while wars with Jim Miller and a knockout loss to Anthony Pettis earned bonus checks even in defeat. He battered Diego Sanchez at UFC 200 in 2016 and closed his career on a high, stopping Jonathan Pearce in 2019.
Fighting style
Lauzon is a pressure-heavy grappler with a hunter's instinct for the finish. His 28-15 record shows an extraordinary 93% finish rate, anchored by 17 submission wins – a reflection of slick jiu-jitsu, constant scrambles and a willingness to take risks to end fights. That aggression cut both ways: it produced countless highlight finishes and Fight of the Night brawls, but also left him susceptible to getting caught, with six of his losses coming by knockout. Few fighters have packed more action into a career, and he remains one of the most decorated bonus earners in lightweight history.
Career highlights
- First-round KO of Jens Pulver — stunned the former UFC lightweight champion at UFC 63 in 2006, launching his career.
- One of the UFC's all-time bonus leaders — earned a long list of post-fight bonuses, ranking among the most-awarded lightweights in promotion history.
- Elite finishing rate — closed out a 28-win career with a 93% finish rate, including 17 submissions, as one of the division's most dangerous grapplers.
Career snapshot
Joe Lauzon career snapshot
EloCombat Edge Elo
1649Solid ratingElo trajectory (last 3 years)
Overall#1889
LightweightTBD
Peak1689
Last move+13
Opponent quality1669avg. pre-fight Elo · last 10
Outside the active ladder after 24 months without a counted pro MMA fight. Current and peak Elo stay raw.
Similar Elo in Lightweight
Joe Lauzon quick answers
What is Joe Lauzon's record?
Joe Lauzon's professional MMA record is 28-15-0.
How old is Joe Lauzon?
Joe Lauzon is 42 years old.
What weight class is Joe Lauzon?
Joe Lauzon fights at Lightweight in UFC.
How tall is Joe Lauzon?
Joe Lauzon is 5'10" tall.
How much does Joe Lauzon weigh?
Joe Lauzon competes at Lightweight, with a most recent weigh-in of 155 lbs.
What is Joe Lauzon's Combat Edge Elo?
Joe Lauzon's Combat Edge Elo is 1649, with a peak Elo of 1689.
How strong is Joe Lauzon's recent opposition?
Joe Lauzon's latest 10 counted opponents averaged 1669 Elo immediately before their fights. This avoids using opponents' later career results with hindsight.
When was Joe Lauzon's last fight?
Joe Lauzon's latest tracked pro fight was against Donald Cerrone at Event TBD on 2022.06.18.
What is Joe Lauzon's recent form?
Joe Lauzon's recent tracked pro form is W-L-L-L-W over the latest 5 decisive pro results.
How does Joe Lauzon usually win?
Joe Lauzon's 28 recorded wins include 9 knockouts, 17 submissions, and 2 decisions, with 93% ending before the final bell.
9Wins by knockout
17Wins by submission
2Wins by decision
6Loss by knockout
3Loss by submission
6Loss by decision
Joe Lauzon stats
Record : 28 / 15 / 0Significant strikes landed per minute
2.84Fighter3.07Division average
Significant striking accuracy
40%Fighter43%Division average
Significant strikes absorbed per minute
5.39Fighter3.89Division average
Significant strike defenseThe % of opponents strikes that did not land
55%Fighter53%Division average
Average takedowns landed per 15 minutes
2.39Fighter1.59Division average
Takedown accuracy
45%Fighter35%Division average
Takedown defenseThe % of opponents TD attempts that did not land
55%Fighter51%Division average
Average submissions attempted per 15 minutes
2.04Fighter0.66Division average
Pro fight history
ResultOpponentMethodTimeRoundEventDateFight details
Amateur fight history
ResultOpponentMethodTimeRoundEventDateFight details
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