UFC fan favorite lightweight Joe Lauzun will return in April at UFC 223
Joe Lauzon has long been a favorite of UFC fans everywhere. Now, he’ll take his talents to Brooklyn, for this April’s UFC 223. Newsday was first to report the news on Thursday. The bonus winning machine (Lauzon is tied for the most bonuses in UFC history alongside Nate Diaz with 15) will face Chris Gruetzemacher at the event.
Lauzon (27-14), a Massachusetts native, will be looking to stave off the possibility of sinking to three straight losses for the first time in his long career. He has dropped each of his last two bouts, to Clay Guida and Stevie Ray. Prior to that, he’d won a split decision against Marcin Held at UFC Fight Night 103 that even Lauzon admitted was a bit of a robbery. Always popular and ever the class act, he’ll look to get back in the win column decisively against Gruetzemacher.
TUF vet Chris Gruetzemacher (13–3) has also lost his last two trips to the octagon. 1-2 in the UFC overall, he defeated Abner Lloveras at the TUF 22 finale in 2015. After missing all of 2016, he went on a two fight skid last year, losing to Chas Skelly and Davis Ramos. Both times, the fighter, who trains in Surprise, AZ, submitted to rear-naked chokes.
UFC 223 takes place April 7 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. A lightweight championship bout (maybe for the interim belt, maybe not) serves as the main event. Rose Namajunas will also put her title on the line in a rematch against Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
