Coming up January 2nd from the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, NV, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will open up the new year with a bang as they bring the fight fans, UFC 108 Evans vs. Silva. The card will feature some hellacious throw downs, including the 155-pound match-up between Joe Lauzon 18-4 versus Sam Stout 14-5-1.
Lauzon is a twenty-two fight veteran, who participated in the UFC’s Ultimate Fighter 5, and Lauzon made his UFC debut the fall of 2006, by knocking out Jens Pulver in forty-eight seconds of the opening round via a crushing left hook.
Since then Joe has compiled a 5-1 record in the UFC, and aims to add another win when he takes on solid striker Sam Stout. In this exclusive interview, Lauzon speaks on his upcoming match-up, enjoy.
Benny Henderson Jr.
You have the fight coming up against Stout in UFC 108; give the readers your thoughts on that match-up.
Joe Lauzon
It is going to be a tough fight, but I think it is going to be a good fight for me though. I think this is a classic striker versus grappler, I think it should be a pretty good fight.
BH
You talk about Sam Stone being more of a striker while you are the grappler, so do you feel that your keys to victory will be to get him on the ground?
JL
Yes I think so, I don’t think either one of us will be like a fish out of water in either spot, but I think that will dictate the fight using my wrestling.
BH
What do you feel are your greatest strengths as a fighter, and being twenty-five years old you are still young and have room to grow, so what do you feel are some of the areas you can work on?
JL
I think that I can get better at everything, whether it be my strengths or my weaknesses, I am always trying to get better at everything, I would like to round myself out and get my striking to where my jiu-jitsu is.
BH
Your UFC debut was a victory over Jens Pulver, what was it like for you to make your debut in the UFC and knock out such a fighter as Jens Pulver?
JL
It was a big shock to me just as much as anybody else, I went into the fight very confident and I expected to win, but I didn’t think that was how it was going to end. I figured I would get him on the ground and beat him up a bit, but the left hook came out of nowhere and surprised me just as much as anybody else.
BH
Your younger brother Danny is a fighter as well, we know it is hard to be a fighter, and I know it is hard for me to see one of my friends fight. Again I know it is hard for you to be a fighter with the preparations and getting punched and all that comes with fighting, but what is it like watching your younger brother get in there and mix it up, knowing that you cannot control what can happen to him?
JL
It gets tough, when you are driving a car you feel good, but when you are the passenger, you are looking for something to hang on too. It is way tougher for me to watch him fight than for me to fight, just like you said there is nothing I can do.
BH
Your fight is coming up in January, so your preparation is in the midst of probably one of the hardest times to do so, being the holidays and all. We had Thanksgiving and Christmas, and let’s be honest this time of year they have some great food and sweets and so on. You have to make weight, so hard is it for you not to indulge and to retain your weight?
JL
I have it pretty good, I have a super fast metabolism, and I eat like a fat kid. I do stay away from most of the crap, but I do still eat a bunch.
BH
If you could say anything to Sam Stone before this fight what would you say?
JL
Ah, good luck, I think it is going to be a good exciting fight.
BH
Anything in closing?
JL
Check out my website www.joelauzon.com
Benny Henderson Jr.
www.convictedartist.com
