UFC lightweight Joe Lauzon looked like a man on a mission as he defeated Curt Warburton in the first round of their fight at UFC Live 4. Needing less than two minutes, “J-Lau” peppered his opponent on the feet before snatching a kimura that forced a tap out. With this win, the so-called “Curse of J-Lau” continues, and the Massachusetts native also continues to excite fans with his fighting style.
Lauzon has never lost two fights in a row. On top of that, he has finished each opponent that he has fought after a loss. With a record of 20-6, that means that Lauzon has delivered a vicious beatdown to all six of the opponents who have faced Lauzon after he has lost: four of these fighters were finished by submission, while the other two were stopped by technical knockout. What is even more impressive is that only one of these fighters made it out of the first round, and that individual only made it two minutes into the second.
The 27-year-old Ultimate Fighter alumnus continues to impress with his development as both a striker and submission artist. Though he is viewed as a gatekeeper to the lightweight division, he has the potential to push his way into the upper portion of the division. He has displayed the striking abilities to keep opponents honest on the feet, and under constant pressure. And once on the mat, he can submit from on top or off his back.
His biggest downfall is his questionable cardiovascular endurance. In 26 total fights it’s worth pointing out that only one has gone the distance, his 2010 defeat at the hands of Sam Stout. Looking at his loss to George Sotiropoulos, Lauzon won the first round, but was visibly gassed as soon as the second round started. This poses a major problem for Lauzon when he is placed in front of a fighter who he can’t finish, and who continues to press the action across three or more rounds.
It will be interesting to see what matchmakers do with Lauzon next. He’s gaining steam as a fan favorite because people know he is going to rush across the cage with the intention of taking his opponent out. However, as he faces tougher opponents, he would be smart to change his style a little, or spend more time developing his cardiovascular abilities so that he can survive the rigors of a three-round battle. Whether or not he ultimately reaches his full potential, I look forward to his next fight to see his continued growth as a mixed martial artist.
