Joe Lauzon

Jim Miller vs. Joe Lauzon
Round 1
Lauzon takes the outside while the southpaw Miller presses out from the center. An inside leg kick trips up Lauzon, and Miller follows it with a knee to the body and a series of close-quarter punches. Miller rushes Lauzon toward the fence, again attacking the body with knees and going over the top with punches. Lauzon backs Miller off with a short right hand, but Miller storms right back, drilling “J-Lau” with a knee in the Thai plum. Miller tries a standing arm-triangle, can’t get it. When the fighters separate, Lauzon’s face is red with blood, but a quick check from the doctor confirms he’s fit to continue. Another knee from Miller, one to the head now, a series of punishing left hands and a knee to the body but Lauzon stays standing. Miller is relentless, just sizing up his bloodied opponent and assaulting him with punches. For his part, Lauzon is sticking with it, covering up but not cowering and he makes it back to his stool to see round two.
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Miller
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Miller
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Miller
Round 2
PICTURE R
D. Mandel Miller vs. Lauzon was an absolute war.
/PICTURE R
More of the same from Miller to start the second, just harassing Lauzon with left hands and knees before bullying him to the ground. Miller is in half-guard on Lauzon’s right side, trying to free his other leg and pass to full mount. He gets there with 3:00 remaining in the round but Lauzon quickly traps the leg again. Lauzon sweeps on top but ref Yves Lavigne is forced to pause the action to remove a lengthy piece of tape hanging from Lauzon’s right glove. Lavigne resumes the action in the same position and Miller pulls rubber guard, staying tight on Lauzon from underneath.
Lauzon tries to step into mount, loses it and instead falls back for a heel hook try, which also goes by the wayside. He catches Miller coming forward and tries a brabo choke setup but runs out of time.
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Miller
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Miller
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Miller
Round 3
Lauzon improbably looks the fresher of the lightweights at the start of round three, but a chopping leg kick from Miller halts his momentum. Miller kicks at him for a moment, then allows him back up. Miller is staying in Lauzon’s face now, throwing leg kicks and short left hands inside with success. Lauzon backs him away with a knee to the body, walks him down and lands a strong left. Miller gives him a hook right back and a few inside leg kicks for good measure. The pace slows as the fight enters its final two minutes, jockeying for position in the Thai clinch. Miller roughs up his man with short standing elbows and left hands. A knee up the middle from Miller and then a right hand wallops Lauzon. With 30 seconds to go, Lauzon drops for a heel hook. He can’t get it, straining as he might, his forehead painting the mat with a thick red stain. He gives up and goes for a guillotine choke but the horn sounds and this one is headed to the scorecards. Easy pick for “Fight of the Night” here.
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Lauzon (29-28 Miller)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Miller (30-27 Miller)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Miller (30-27 Miller)
Official result:
Jim Miller def. Joe Lauzon via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00