Joe Lauzon tastes victory after multi-knockdown annihilation in BKFC debut
This Saturday, Joe Lauzon had a successful bareknuckle boxing debut, needing just two rounds to demolish his opponent in brutal fashion.
BKFC 92 featured Joe Lauzon's return to action after the latter spent seven years away from combat sports. While he last fought in MMA, this time he plied his trade in bareknuckle boxing, getting off to a flying start by TKO'ing his opponent, Stash Kuykendall in round two.
Joe Lauzon makes a perfect comeback to fighting
Seven years ago, MMA veteran Joe Lauzon broke a three-fight skid at UFC on ESPN 69, TKO'ing Jonathan Pearce in round one. At the time, no one could have guessed that it would be his final appearance inside the octagon. Yet, he spent the next three years with zero fights booked until a matchup with Donald Cerrone was proposed for UFC Fight Night 208. Then, for reasons that have never been made known to the public, the bout was moved to UFC 274, before getting scrapped at the weigh-ins when 'Cowboy' fell ill. A final attempt to reschedule the bout was made for UFC Austin, but this time it would be Lauzon who would pull out after injuring his knee.
While Lauzon never formally announced his retirement thereafter, he claimed he wouldn't return unless something drew his interest. Now, in 2026, it turns out that bareknuckle boxing did the trick. Lauzon signed with BKFC, as do many former UFC fighters, and made his debut yesterday on BKFC 92, taking on Stash Kuykendall at welterweight. Kuykendall, who was on a three-fight skid across bareknuckle boxing and MMA heading into the bout, is 8 years Lauzon's junior and had competed more recently despite his rough patch. Lauzon, though, proved to be too much for him come fight night. He swarmed Kuykendall from the opening ball, scoring three knockdowns in round one.
The beatdown continued into round two after a tough Kuykendall survived the first-round onslaught. Lauzon scored two more knockdowns before the fight was mercifully waved off, and Kuykendall was spared any more unnecessary damage. It was Lauzon's first win since 2019, and he joined another UFC alumnus whose first win since 2019 occurred in the past two days. Marlon Moraes, whose last win prior to Friday was a split-decision over all-time great featherweight José Aldo at UFC 245, recently defeated Maximilian Perez via unanimous decision at Liga Combate 2. As far as Lauzon is concerned, he has the entire bareknuckle boxing world open to him, and will look to make something of his new career.
