The UFC’s return to Boston for the launch of the FOX Sports 1 channel has a new fight as Massachusetts native Joe Lauzon (22-8, 9-5 UFC) will take on Michael Johnson (12-8, 4-4 UFC) at August’s UFC On FOX Sports 1 1 debut event. MMAWeekly.com first reported the booking.
Lauzon will be looking to rebound from a unanimous decision loss to Jim Miller at UFC 155 in December, a fight that was named “Fight Of The Year” by the UFC. Lauzon is just 1-2 over his last three fights with a submission win over Jamie Varner squeezed between losses to Miller and Anthony Pettis. Lauzon competed at the first UFC event in Boston in 2010, submitting Gabe Ruediger at UFC 118.
Johnson is looking to avoid three straight losses after dropping fights to Reza Madadi and Myles Jury in his last two Octagon appearances. Johnson had put together a three-fight win streak over Shane Roller, Tony Ferguson and Danny Castillo prior to the two setbacks. Johnson is in much need of a win as a third straight defeat would hurt his standing on the UFC roster.
UFC On FOX Sports 1 1 takes place on August 17 from the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Lauzon vs. Johnson fight is just the second announced fight for the card, joining a previously announced bout between Matt Brown and Thiago Alves. More fights are expected to be announced shortly.
