Joe Lauzon set to face Gray Maynard at UFC 155
Posted on August 20, 2012, 11:03 PM by Mike DrahotaToday UFC officials announced that Joe Lauzon will face Gray Maynard in a Lightweight bout official for UFC 155 on December 29th. Lauzon, fresh off of his Fight and Submission of the Night-winning performance versus Jamie Varner at UFC on Fox 4, looks to ride that momentum to a title shot in the stacked Lightweight division. In his way Gray Maynard stands, himself looking to climb back into the title picture after defeating onetime contender Clay Guida in a bizarre fight this June.
All of the sudden, the UFC's year-ending card is beginning to take shape, as this bout will join the perceived title fight rematch between champion Junior dos Santos and number one contender Cain Velasquez. Last week, it was also found out that Chael Sonnen will make his return to the Light Heavyweight division in a bout versus Forrest Griffin. Coupled with the planned fireworks of the blockbuster UFC on Fox 5, UFC shows potential for an insane December for MMA. Perhaps the UFC is looking to make it up to fans for what many deemed a lackluster summer full of cards.
Can Joe Lauzon continue his epic list of Fight Night bonuses? Or will Gray Maynard prove that he deserves to stay towards the top at 155 lbs.? One thing is for certain, with December 8th's title fight between Benson Henderson and Nate Diaz and the rumored bout of Anthony Pettis versus Donald Cerrone, the division will be shaken up quite significantly by the time the New Year comes around.
Further Reading: Chael Sonnen vs. Forrest Griffin set for UFC 155 on December 29th
Comments
Awesome.... Maynard will probably win by TKO or by K.O if this fights stays on the feet....... Yet I hope we see a ground war.. BJJ vs Wrestler...
Are you sure about that? Joe is no slouch on the feet either.
IMO Joe is going to take the decision.
I have Joe winning this fight via sub - round 2.
I find it really hard to imagine Joe winning this fight. That said, this kid seems to do VERY well in fights that most wouldn't expect him to. This is a fight I won't be surprised to be shocked by (if that makes any sense at all).
There's so many things you can say about Joe, but if I had to pick two words they would be underrated and underestimated. Joe's fun to watch and even though he looks like a computer programmer, he could short your circuit.
gray gonna pick him apart
Yea he probably will, I'm kind of surprised the fans are acting as if Joe is the favourite.
Joe had trouble stopping a gassed Varner's takedowns so how is he going to deal with Maynard's?
Loas of people are calling for the Lauzon submission but Gray managed to negate Ken Flo's guard for the whole fight and survived 15 minutes with Diaz (second fight), both of those guys being better submission grapplers than Lauzon IMO.
Lauzon can win but it will be an upset, Melvin Guillard style, not a easy submission like everyone is predicting.
yea thats what i mean. i think maynard is too much for him. varner came in late, gassed quickly and he was still game for lauzon. maynard is gonna be too much. WAR MAYNARD
i was hoping they put lauzon against diego sanchez!! now that hes coming back to LW
Lauzon is good and a hell of a finisher but Gray via decision in a good stand up battle with a couple of takedowns.
gray is the favorite but joe can win this fight. if maynard takes him down lauzon has great BJJ but i dont think he can sub maynard and considering hes really gone away from his wrestling it will probably be mostly stand up and i would say lauzon is actually the more technical striker.....close fight but probs maynard vs decision as usual
ha, Chaels going to LHW and fighting Forrest huh?
Lauzon is a very talented fighter with sub wins over guillard and varner, but Maynard may just be too much for him. Grey is much bigger and stronger, and IMO on another level than those Lauzon defeated before. I see Maynard winning this decisively, and going on his way to another title shot and this time winning it, unless he wants to be the next KenFlo.
If Joe wins this it will move him up nicely. Go Joe!
Very nice fight...50/50 imo...I like Maynard a lot but would be nice if Joe wins so we can have a different contender.
Great matchup!!
Don't underestimate Lauzon.
I became a Joe fan when he finished Melvin just after his happy dance.