A Legend Returns: Joe Lauzon Steps into the Bare Knuckle Ring
After nearly seven years away from professional competition, Joe Lauzon is making a comeback that no one saw coming. The legendary UFC veteran and martial arts expert is stepping out of the octagon and into the squared circle for his highly anticipated debut in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC).
The setting couldn’t be more iconic. Lauzon, a Bridgewater native, will fight at Fenway Park, the historic home of the Boston Red Sox. When asked if the venue influenced his decision to return to combat sports, Lauzon didn’t hesitate: “One hundred percent. Fighting bare knuckle is not the most tempting thing for me… But it was Fenway; Fenway was the draw for me.”
Overcoming the “Ring Rust”
At 42 years old, the gap since his last official fight is significant. However, Lauzon hasn’t been idle. As the owner and lead instructor of Lauzon MMA academies in Raynham and Canton, he has spent the last several years honing the skills of the next generation of fighters. This continuous involvement in the sport suggests that while the competitive nerves may be new, his technical proficiency remains sharp.
MMA vs. BKFC: The Brutal Transition
Transitioning from Mixed Martial Arts to bare-knuckle boxing requires more than just a change in gear; it requires a complete shift in strategy. Lauzon is well aware that the risks are different when you remove the gloves.
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- Round Structure: Unlike the standard 3 or 5-minute rounds in MMA, BKFC features five 2-minute rounds.
- Striking Rules: No kicks, no elbows, and no knees. It is purely a punching game.
- The Risk Factor: With minimal hand wrapping (only wrists and thumbs), the likelihood of cuts and broken hands increases significantly.
Lauzon notes that the absence of gloves demands a higher level of precision. “If I have gloves on, I’m just biting on my mouthpiece and I’m swinging as hard as I can,” he explained. “Here, you’ve got to be a little bit more precise… you’ve got to really ensure you don’t punch the top of someone’s head.”
The Fight Card and What to Expect
Lauzon is set to clash with fellow MMA veteran Stash Kuykendall in a welterweight bout (165 pounds). This featured matchup is part of a stacked card that includes other New England talent and high-stakes battles, such as the featherweight championship match between Kai Stewart and Harry Gigliotti.
Another notable name on the card is Peter Barrett, a former UFC competitor who has already found success in BKFC. Barrett credits his Muay Thai clinch work as a secret weapon for success in the bare-knuckle format, emphasizing the effectiveness of short, straight punches.
Event Details: BKFC 92
Combat sports fans can witness this historic night at Fenway Park. Doors open at 5 p.m., with the main card kicking off at 7 p.m. If you want to see if Joe Lauzon can translate his MMA brilliance into bare-knuckle dominance, tickets are available via the official Red Sox BKFC page.
Will the veteran’s precision overcome the brutality of the bare knuckle? Only time will tell.
