Joe Lauzon needed just over 90 seconds to win in front of his home crowd at UFC Boston, stopping the debuting Jonathan Pearce in the first round with ground-and-pound.
Joe Lauzon has been around since 2006, when he knocked out former champion Jens Pulver on short notice. Since then, he’s become a fan-favorite, accumulating the second-most post-fight bonuses in UFC history. He’ll be looking for his first win in over two years in front of his home crowd at UFC Boston.
Jonathan Pearce is fresh off a knockout on the Contender Series that earned him a UFC contract. He’s stopped his last five opponents, knocking out the last four.
Jonathan Pearce landed a leg kick but ate a jab from Joe Lauzon. Both fighters were down to exchange punches, but Lauzon had more pop behind his shots. A left hand wobbled Pearce, then a right knocked him down. Pearce stood up, but right into the clinch of Lauzon. Lauzon tripped him down right into mount, then as Pearce was turning, he established a reverse half nelson, pinning the right arm behind Pearce’s head while taking his back. With his right arm isolated and his left arm out of position, Pearce was susceptible to constant punishment. The punches rained down from Lauzon until the referee stopped the fight.
LAUZON FIRST ROUND FINISH! BOSTON IS GOING CRAZY!#UFCBoston pic.twitter.com/9jBGBNw904
— UFC (@ufc) October 19, 2019
It was a huge win for Lauzon in his home state of Massachusetts. He was emotional, but did not commit to retirement in either direction.
Joe Lauzon def. Jonathan Pearce by TKO (Punches) in Round 1 (1:33)
