Joe Lauzon is a well-known American mixed martial artist who has made a significant impact in the UFC’s lightweight division.
In this article, you will learn about Joe Lauzon’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more.
Joe Lauzon’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Joseph Edward Lauzon Jr. |
| Nickname | J-Lau |
| Born | May 22, 1984 |
| Age | 39 |
| Height | 5’10” (178 cm) |
| College | Wentworth Institute of Technology |
| Religion | – |
| Nationality | American |
| Net worth | Estimated $1-2 million |
| Salary | Varies per fight |
| Wife | Katelyn Lauzon |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Instagram Profile | @joelauzon |
Early Career
Joe Lauzon’s journey in mixed martial arts began in the early 2000s. He started training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and quickly developed a passion for the sport.
He competed in various local promotions in Massachusetts, building a reputation as a skilled submission specialist.
His early success caught the attention of the UFC, leading to his debut in the promotion in 2006.
Professional Career
Lauzon’s UFC career started with a bang when he knocked out former lightweight champion Jens Pulver in just 48 seconds at UFC 63.
This upset victory immediately put him on the map in the lightweight division. Throughout his career, Lauzon became known for his exciting fighting style and ability to finish fights.
Lauzon’s career has been marked by thrilling battles against top contenders and his knack for pulling off impressive submissions.
Wife
Joe Lauzon is married to Katelyn Lauzon. The couple has 2 children together.
Their first son, Joey, was born in 2014 and was diagnosed with neuroblastoma as an infant. Thankfully, Joey recovered after treatment.
Joe Lauzon’s Net Worth Details
Joe Lauzon’s net worth is estimated to be between $1-2 million as of 2025.
Fight Purses
| Event | Purse | Details |
|---|---|---|
| UFC 63 | $6,000 | Debut fight against Jens Pulver |
| UFC 78 | $16,000 | – |
| UFC Fight Night: Florian vs. Lauzon | $36,000 | – |
| UFC 118 | $68,000 | |
| UFC 136 | $98,000 | Fight against Melvin Guillard |
| UFC 200 | $116,000 | Fight against Diego Sanchez |
| UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Weidman | $186,000 | One of his more recent fights |
| UFC Fight Night 103 | $20,000 | Athlete Outfitting pay for his 23rd UFC bout |
Endorsements
- Reebok (during UFC’s partnership)
- Hayabusa
- Venum
- Toyo Tires
- Alienware
Fight Records
| Opponent | Result | Event | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jens Pulver | Win | UFC 63 | Sept 23, 2006 |
| Kenny Florian | Loss | UFC Fight Night 13 | April 2, 2008 |
| Jim Miller | Loss | UFC 155 | Dec 29, 2012 |
| Diego Sanchez | Win | UFC 200 | July 9, 2016 |
| Takanori Gomi | Win | UFC on Fox 16 | July 25, 2015 |
| Michael Chiesa | Win | UFC Fight Night 50 | Sept 5, 2014 |
| Anthony Pettis | Loss | UFC 144 | Feb 26, 2012 |
| Clay Guida | Loss | UFC Fight Night 120 | Nov 11, 2017 |
| Melvin Guillard | Win | UFC 136 | Oct 8, 2011 |
| Al Iaquinta | Loss | UFC 183 | Jan 31, 2015 |
FAQs
1. What is Joe Lauzon best known for in his UFC career?
Joe Lauzon is renowned for holding the record for the most post-fight bonus awards in UFC Lightweight history (15 total). His aggressive grappling style and thrilling finishes earned him seven Fight of the Night honors and six Submission of the Night awards. Notable victories include a 48-second knockout of Jens Pulver in his UFC debut and a TKO win over Diego Sanchez at UFC 200.
2. When did Joe Lauzon retire from MMA?
Lauzon is semi-retired as of 2025. His last fight was in October 2019, where he defeated Jonathan Pearce via TKO. While he has expressed interest in a retirement bout, UFC President Dana White has encouraged him to step away, and contractual complications have kept him inactive since 2022.
3. What is Joe Lauzon’s fighting style?
Lauzon is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist with a brown belt, known for submissions like rear-naked chokes and armbars. Over 60% of his professional wins came via submission, though he also developed effective striking, earning a Knockout of the Night bonus against Jens Pulver.
4. Did Joe Lauzon compete on The Ultimate Fighter?
Yes, he was a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter 5 (2007) under coach B.J. Penn. He reached the semifinals, defeating Brian Geraghty and Cole Miller before losing to Manvel Gamburyan. He later won his finale match against Brandon Melendez via triangle choke.
5. What is Joe Lauzon’s educational background?
Lauzon graduated from Wentworth Institute of Technology in 2007 with a Bachelor’s degree in computer science. Before becoming a full-time fighter, he worked as a network administrator in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
6. Has Joe Lauzon faced any personal challenges outside the octagon?
In 2014, his eldest son was diagnosed with stage 4S neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer. Lauzon has openly shared his family’s journey through treatment, which concluded successfully after five years.
7. Who is Joe Lauzon’s brother, and is he also an MMA fighter?
Yes, his younger brother Dan Lauzon is a former UFC and Bellator fighter. Both brothers trained together and competed professionally, though Dan retired earlier in his career.
8. What are some of Joe Lauzon’s most memorable fights?
Key bouts include his 2011 submission of Melvin Guillard at UFC 136, a 2016 TKO victory over Diego Sanchez, and a split-decision loss to Jim Miller in their 2016 rematch. His 2006 UFC debut knockout of Jens Pulver remains legendary for defying 7-to-1 odds.
9. How many UFC fights did Joe Lauzon win?
Lauzon holds a UFC record of 15 wins and 12 losses, with notable victories over Jamie Varner, Gabe Ruediger, and Michael Chiesa. His professional MMA record stands at 28-15 overall.
10. What sponsorships or post-fight ventures has Joe Lauzon pursued?
Lauzon was sponsored by Deathwish Inc., a Massachusetts-based record label, throughout his career. Post-retirement, he co-owns Lauzon MMA in Raynham, Massachusetts, where he trains aspiring fighters and shares insights from his 20+ years in martial arts.
