Joe Lauzon expresses disappointment as the UFC rejects his request for a return to Boston. Despite his long tenure, the promotion deems his services unnecessary for UFC 292.
Joe Lauzon, one of the UFC’s most tenured and respected fighters, expressed his disappointment as the promotion turned down his request to fight in his highly anticipated return to Boston. Despite his best efforts, Lauzon’s services were deemed unnecessary for the UFC 292 card, which could have potentially been his last fight. Lauzon had hoped to face Chase Hooper, who recently defeated local fighter Nick Fiore. However, the matchup did not come to fruition.
Lauzon’s Attempt to Secure a Spot
During a Q&A session at TD Garden, Lauzon revealed that he made multiple attempts to get booked on the UFC 292 card. Despite his 27 fights inside the Octagon and over 17 years with the promotion, the UFC showed no interest in acquiring his services. Lauzon expressed his disappointment, stating, ‘I tried. I tried. It didn’t work out. I texted many, many times. I was told my services were not needed.’ Lauzon had hoped for a matchup against Chase Hooper, considering it a favorable fight for him.
Lauzon’s Future in the Octagon
Although Lauzon’s own business is flourishing, he still has a desire to step inside the Octagon when the right opportunity arises. UFC 292 seemed like the perfect chance, but the promotion disagreed. Lauzon clarified that he doesn’t need to fight, but if the location, date, and opponent align, he is open to returning. He stated, ‘If it all makes sense, I’m 100 percent down to fight again. But my gym is doing great. I don’t need to fight. It’s one of those things I really like doing. If it makes sense, I’m down (and) I’ll do it again. If we’re done, we’re done. It doesn’t matter. We’ll see.’
A Fighter from a Bygone Era
With a record of 28-15, Lauzon has nothing left to prove in the Octagon. However, his passion for competing is still evident. Despite the disappointment of not being booked for UFC 292, Lauzon’s willingness to continue fighting showcases his dedication to the sport. It’s unfortunate that the promotion did not share the same sentiment.
| Fighter | Result |
|---|---|
| Joe Lauzon | Not booked |
Summary
- Joe Lauzon’s request to fight in his highly anticipated return to Boston was rejected by the UFC.
- Despite his long tenure and respected status, the promotion deemed his services unnecessary for the UFC 292 card.
- Lauzon expressed his disappointment and revealed that he had made multiple attempts to secure a spot on the card.
- He had hoped to face Chase Hooper, but the matchup did not come together.
- Lauzon clarified that he doesn’t need to fight, but if the right opportunity arises, he is open to returning to the Octagon.
- With a record of 28-15, Lauzon has nothing left to prove, but his passion for competing remains.
