Joe Lauzon Pulls Back Curtains on Hunter Campbell Trying to Discourage BKFC Debut
Joe Lauzon’s return to combat sports was already a story worth telling.
After seven years away, the longtime UFC sensation stepped into Fenway Park, in his own backyard, and promptly reminded everyone that his fists pack a punch. Before he made a triumphant statement with Stash Kuykendall, there was a familiar voice trying to make him reconsider the whole thing.
Hunter Campbell Wanted Joe Lauzon to Think Twice
Hours before Lauzon was scheduled to make his bare-knuckle debut at BKFC Boston, UFC matchmaker Hunter Campbell had a special message for the UFC vet. The conversation, as he remembers it, was less about business and more about concern for a fighter the promotion had known for years.
According to the 42-year-old, Campbell apparently wasn't thrilled with the idea of the 42-year-old returning to take punches after such a long layoff.
Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Lauzon pulled back the curtain on the conversation he had with Campbell on fight day, saying, “Hunter (Campbell) called me and said, ‘Why are you doing this? This is the stupidest thing ever. You shouldn’t be doing this.'”
Campbell appeared to be looking out for someone who had spent the bulk of his fighting career inside the Octagon. According to Lauzon, Campbell even offered him other opportunities if money was the reason behind his comeback.
“‘If it’s a money thing, we’ll help you out. We’ll put you on grappling (cards); we’ll do something with you. Don’t want to see you taking punches because you need money. We want to look out for you,’” he recalled.
This wasn't a routine fight in a familiar venue. It was his first bout in seven years, his first bare-knuckle contest, and BKFC's first outdoor event. There was the unpredictable New England weather to contend with at Fenway Park.
Joe Lauzon Concerned Over Possibilities of Rainout
Lauzon (28-16-0) admitted he had worried that rain or lightning might ruin the event after spending three months preparing for his return. Those concerns were amplified by his previous attempts to get back into the Octagon.
His long-discussed UFC farewell against Donald Cerrone had fallen apart twice, with the most recent booking in 2022 ending in bizarre fashion when Lauzon suffered a knee injury after the official weigh-ins. This time, though, Lauzon wasn't willing to let another opportunity pass him by. He wanted to fight. Campbell ultimately made it clear that the decision was his.
“‘If this is what you want to do, I’m not telling you that you can’t do this. We’ll release you, whatever you want,’” Lauzon said Campbell told him..
Joe Lauzon Makes Combat Sports Return Worthwhile
Once the bell rang at Fenway, he made sure the comeback was worth the wait. Lauzon came out aggressively against Kuykendall, taking the fight to his opponent and scoring multiple knockdowns in the opening round. Subsequently, the finish finally came 49 seconds into the second when a vicious left hand sent Kuykendall crashing face-first onto the canvas, forcing referee Dan Miragliotta to wave off the contest.
