Dan Lauzon

Daniel James Lauzon (born March 30, 1988) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the World Series of Fighting's Lightweight division, and has also formerly competed in the UFC and Affliction. He is the younger brother of fellow MMA fighter Joe Lauzon.

Mixed martial arts career

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Lauzon began training at the age of 14. He made his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) debut at UFC 64: Unstoppable, losing to Spencer Fisher. At 18 years, seven months and 14 days old, Lauzon was the second youngest fighter ever to appear in the UFC.

Lauzon is sponsored by TapouT and appeared in an episode of the television series TapouT. The TapouT crew followed Lauzon through the final preparations for his fight with Frank Latina. While filming, the crew expressed doubts about Lauzon's trainer and introduced him to crosstown rival trainer Mark DellaGrotte. After the episode aired, Lauzon's brother Joe criticized the episode and the TapouT crew's actions.^[1]

Affliction

Lauzon was originally scheduled to fight Chris Horodecki at the Affliction: Day of Reckoning event on January 24, but Chris was denied his license for failing his physical.^[2] Bobby Green stepped up to take Horodecki's spot against Lauzon. During the fight against Green, Lauzon claimed he was kicked and kneed to the groin a total of three times, a fact openly questioned by bloggers, internet forums^[3][4] and live by the broadcast team. Tito Ortiz was the color commentator for the event and, at one point, stated "Dan is faking". Referee Herb Dean and the ringside doctor asked Dan Lauzon if he wanted to continue to fight, and the fight was eventually restarted with Bobby Green having 2 points deducted. The crowd loudly booed the point deduction. While Bobby Green's unorthodox style managed to give Dan difficulties on the feet, Lauzon manage to control the fight on the ground and won due to a rear-naked choke with five seconds left in the first round.

Return to Ultimate Fighting Championship

With the demise of the Affliction fight organization, Dan became a free agent and as of July 28, 2009, was under contract with the UFC.^[5]

Dan Lauzon faced Cole Miller on January 2, 2010 at UFC 108.^[6] In a back-and-forth fight, Miller locked a kimura from an inverted triangle position, earning himself a $50,000 Submission of the Night bonus.^[7] At the same event, Dan's brother, Joe Lauzon also lost his fight. After the event, Joe Lauzon said that a fight between them, or even at the same event, is "not an option anymore".^[8]

Two weeks before his scheduled fight in UFC 114, Dan Lauzon told the Boston Herald that he was left "hung out to dry" by his coaches and his brother Joe Lauzon. Reportedly unsatisfied with Lauzon's commitment to training, his coaches told him a month ago they would not make the trip if there was not improvement. Joe Lauzon said they clearly outlined what was expected and his brother fell short. Joe Lauzon, 26, and Dan Lauzon, 23, each described their personalities as polar opposites. Though they get along, they frequently butt heads, particularly when it comes to training. Pomfret has been Dan Lauzon’s trainer since he began practicing jiu-jitsu nine years ago. Steve Maze, his boxing coach, has worked with him since his first fight when he was 18, both of his coaches and his brother Joe, all decided not to travel with Dan's fight, making him an even bigger underdog than he already is, against Efrain Escudero.^[9] Escudero defeated Lauzon via unanimous decision.

In the aftermath off his loss at UFC 114, Lauzon was released from the promotion.^[10]

Post-UFC

After the loss, Lauzon was invited to train with Renzo Gracie and planned on taking Gracie up on his offer. Shortly after Lauzon was set to fight John Ortolani, a Gracie Barra New Hampshire student, That put an end to Lauzon going to Renzo Gracie New York for training.^[11]

Lauzon made his first post-UFC fight against John Ortolani which he won via KO (punches) in the 2nd round. His next fight came exactly 2 months later against Damien Trites, which he won again by guillotine choke in the 1st round.

On February 17, 2011, Lauzon was stabbed outside a nightclub in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. His injuries, however were not life-threatening. An investigation is currently underway. Lauzon would not talk with the police.^[12]

On June 18, 2011, Lauzon returned to action fighting in the main event for World Championship Fighting against Noah Weisman for the Lightweight belt. Lauzon dominated the stand-up and won by KO in the 1st round to become the Lightweight Champion of World Championship Fighting.

On December 3, 2011, Lauzon defeated Anthony Kaponis via KO (punches) at 1:42 of round 1 in the main event of Premier FC 7. He has now won 5 straight fights since being released from the UFC, finishing 4 of his 5 opponents.

World Series of Fighting

Lauzon made his World Series of Fighting debut against UFC vet John Gunderson at WSOF 3 on June 14, 2013 headlined by former UFC vets Josh Burkman and Jon Fitch. He won the fight via unanimous decision. At that point, he was riding a five-fight win streak.

Lauzon faced undefeated prospect Justin Gaethje at WSOF 6. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.

Mixed martial arts record

See also

• List of male mixed martial artists

References

External links

• Professional MMA record for Dan Lauzon from Sherdog
  
• MMATorch Interview
• The NHB Show Interview