Joe Lauzon remains one of the most exciting and beloved fighters in UFC history, known for his bonus-winning performances and incredible submission skills.
The Massachusetts native built a reputation as an action fighter who consistently delivered thrilling bouts inside the Octagon.
In this article, you will know Joe Lauzon’s net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and more.
Joe Lauzon’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Joseph Edward Lauzon Jr. |
| Date of Birth | May 22, 1984 |
| Age | 41 years old |
| Education | Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Wentworth Institute of Technology (2007) |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 feet 10 inches |
| Weight | 155 pounds (Lightweight division) |
| Turned Pro | 2004 |
| Net Worth | Approximately $500,000 |
| Instagram Profile | @joelauzon |
| Twitter Profile | @JoeLauzon |
Early Career
Joe Lauzon grew up in Brockton, Massachusetts, before moving to Bridgewater when he reached third grade. He spent his childhood on a small farm where he enjoyed riding horses and became fascinated with professional wrestling.
Lauzon and his friends would recreate wrestling moves on his trampoline, but his martial arts journey didn’t begin until his junior year at East Bridgewater High School. A demonstration at his school sparked his interest, and he immediately started training.
While studying computer science at Wentworth Institute of Technology, Lauzon worked as a network administrator in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He balanced his education and work with his growing passion for mixed martial arts.
Lauzon graduated with his bachelor’s degree in 2007, but the cage was calling him. His first amateur fight took place in 2002, where he compiled a respectable 5-3 record. These early experiences laid the foundation for what would become an incredible professional career.
Professional Career
Joe Lauzon’s professional career launched in 2004 with a first-round armbar victory at Mass Destruction, a local Massachusetts promotion. He then went on an impressive eight-fight winning streak, with every single victory coming by submission.
Lauzon won an eight-man tournament in one night at the World Fighting League, earning the WFL Grand Prix Championship. Local Massachusetts MMA outlets named him Fighter of the Year in 2004, recognizing his dominant performances.
Lauzon made his UFC debut at UFC 63 on September 23, 2006, where he shocked the MMA world by knocking out former lightweight champion Jens Pulver in just 48 seconds. This explosive entrance into the UFC set the tone for his entire career.
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He became known as a bonus machine, tying Anderson Silva for the most post-fight bonuses in UFC history with 15 awards. Lauzon earned $585,000 in bonuses throughout his UFC career, receiving a bonus in 75% of his fights. His fighting style prioritized action and finishes, which fans absolutely loved.
Lauzon competed in the UFC from 2006 through 2019, compiling a professional record of 28-15. He owns a martial arts academy called Lauzon MMA where he now focuses on coaching and developing the next generation of fighters.
Wife
Joe Lauzon married his wife Katie Lauzon, and the couple has built a beautiful family together. They welcomed their first son, Jacob, on January 12, 2014.
Just one week after their second son Joey arrived in January 2017, he received a devastating diagnosis of stage 4S neuroblastoma.
The family faced unimaginable challenges as Joey underwent treatment for cancer. After years of fighting, Joey was finally cleared as cancer-free in early 2019.
Joe’s brother Dan Lauzon also pursued a career in professional mixed martial arts, making the Lauzon family well-known in the MMA community. Friends gave Joe the nickname “J-Lau” during high school, though he wasn’t particularly fond of it since it references Jennifer Lopez.
He actually preferred the nickname “Baby Joe” instead. Throughout his fighting career and his son’s health battle, Katie stood by Joe’s side, and he has often expressed gratitude for his family’s support during difficult times.
Joe Lauzon’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Joe Lauzon’s net worth stands at approximately $500,000. His UFC career earnings came primarily from fight purses and his record-setting bonus awards, making him one of the most successful fighters in terms of performance bonuses.
Fight Purses
| Event | Opponent | Result | Purse |
|---|---|---|---|
| UFC 200 (July 2016) | Diego Sanchez | Win | $108,000 ($54,000 show + $54,000 win bonus) + $50,000 Performance bonus |
| UFC Fight Night 103 (January 2017) | Marcin Held | Win | $116,000 ($58,000 show + $58,000 win bonus) |
| UFC 63 (September 2006) | Jens Pulver | Win | $6,000 ($3,000 show + $3,000 win bonus) |
| UFC Fight Night 13 (April 2008) | Kenny Florian | Loss | $8,000 show + $20,000 Fight of the Night bonus |
| Early Career Fight (2022 disclosed) | Undisclosed | Undisclosed | $74,000 show money |
Career Earnings
| Year | Earnings |
|---|---|
| 2008 | $8,000 base pay + $52,000 sponsorship money + $20,000 bonus = $80,000 (one fight disclosed) |
| 2016 | $108,000 + $50,000 bonus (UFC 200 disclosed) |
| 2017 | $116,000 (UFC Fight Night 103 disclosed) |
| Career Bonuses | $585,000 total in post-fight bonuses |
Career Stats
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Professional Record | 28-16-0 (Win-Loss-Draw) |
| UFC Record | 28 wins, 15 losses in UFC competition |
| Wins by Knockout/TKO | 9 |
| Wins by Submission | 17 |
| Losses by Knockout/TKO | 6 |
| Losses by Submission | 3 |
| Post-Fight Bonuses | 15 total (tied for most in UFC lightweight history) |
| Total Bonus Earnings | $585,000 |
| UFC Debut | September 23, 2006 vs. Jens Pulver |
| Last UFC Fight | October 18, 2019 vs. Jonathan Pearce <span aria-label=”Joe Lauzon Record: 28-16-0 – Stats | UFC”> |
| Notable Achievement | Bonus awarded in 75% of UFC fights |
FAQs
1. How much money has Joe Lauzon made in the UFC?
Joe Lauzon earned over $585,000 just from post-fight bonuses alone throughout his UFC career, receiving bonus awards in 75% of his fights. His total career earnings include fight purses ranging from $6,000 in his debut to over $116,000 for later fights, plus substantial sponsorship money that reached $52,000 for a single bout.
2. What is Joe Lauzon doing now?
Joe Lauzon now runs Lauzon MMA, his own martial arts academy in Massachusetts, where he focuses on coaching and developing fighters. He semi-retired from active competition but has stated he remains open to fighting opportunities if the UFC sends him interesting matchups, treating it more like a video game where he racks up points.
3. How many bonuses did Joe Lauzon win in the UFC?
Lauzon won 15 post-fight bonuses throughout his UFC career, tying Anderson Silva for the most bonus awards in UFC lightweight division history. He received bonuses in an incredible 75% of his fights, earning awards for Fight of the Night, Knockout of the Night, and Performance of the Night.
4. What happened to Joe Lauzon’s son?
Joe Lauzon’s second son Joey received a stage 4S neuroblastoma diagnosis just one week after being born. The family endured years of cancer treatment and uncertainty before Joey was finally declared cancer-free, giving the Lauzon family an incredible reason to celebrate after their difficult journey.
5. What is Joe Lauzon’s fighting style?
Lauzon built his reputation as an aggressive submission specialist who earned 17 of his 28 career wins by submission, with his remaining victories coming by knockout.
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