Tag: hawaii
Trainers
by Joe Lauzon on Feb.24, 2009, under Blog
Joe Pomfret – Head Trainer / The Man
“Stand on the shoulders of giants”
Joe has been my trainer since day one. I can’t ever thank Joe enough for the foundation of everything I do in training. When everyone else was being protective and wanted you to only train with them, Joe was the guy telling us to go to other places and learn as much as we could because its always good to learn from as many sources as possible. I was that little 17 year old kid that didn’t want to do anything his way but he never gave up on me and stuck it out. After about the 15th move that I “discovered” and loved that I later realized he had been trying to teach me all along, I realized I should start listening more closely and stop changing things. Truth be told, Joe has kind of been like a second dad to me and has always been there for me whenever I had a difficult decision to make.
Website: http://lauzonmma.com
Hollywood Steve Maze – Boxing Coach and Wraps my Hands for Every Fight
“What you see when two men fight is more a test of will than a test of skills. The man with the stronger will will always win, provided the other man’s skill isn’t so great that his will isn’t tested.”
When I knew I was going to be doing the WFL 8 man Tournament, I wanted to make sure I had someone that was really good at wrapping hands. In a tournament setting, there are few things worse than winning your fight and then not being able to continue because you jacked your hand up.Joe Pomfret had worked out with Eddie Bishop at Bishops Boxing previously and we figured that was the best place to find someone that really knew how to wrap hands. We went in and talked to Eddie and he told us all about Steve and how he was the best at wrapping hands. Steve wrapped my hands that night for the tournament and I will never fight without him.
After I won the WFL tournament, I got a call to fight Jens Pulver in the UFC. If we were going to be fighting a southpaw boxer, we wanted to work out with boxers so we knew what to expect. I immediately called Steve and we started a 12 week camp working out 6 days a week doing boxing and strength and conditioning. Steve was a great addition to the team and was the main reason we were able to knock out Jens Pulver in my UFC debut.
Steve Baccari - Strength and Conditioning and Director of Motivational Quotes
“When brute force doesn’t work, you just arent using enough.”
While I was training with Steve Maze for the fight with Jens Pulver, it seemed like he pulled some different strength and conditioning routines out of the air. I was amazed at how good some of the things we were doing were. I assumed he was coming up with things on his own or just looking for ways to make me tired. Then one day he introduces me to another Steve, Steve Baccari. Steve Baccari is a maniac when it comes to learning about strength and conditioning and has a ton of experience in traning fighters and seeing what works best for combat athletes. Immediately, everything made sense. Baccari and Maze had worked with fighters together in the past and I was doing some of the same routines they had done.As time went on, Maze got Baccari more involved and it got to the point where I was working with Baccari pretty exclusively on the strength and conditioning side of things. In only a few short months I noticed a drastic increase in both strength and conditioning.
BJ Penn – MMA Coach, Grappling Coach, Hawaiian Guide
“Advanced Basics, thats all it is”
No real need for an explanation about BJ. He was my coach on The Ultimate Fighter show and I came out to Hilo to train with him after we hit it off on the show.“
Website: http://BJPenn.com
Rudy Valentino – Kickboxing Coach
“Guys that like to train train… guys that don’t lose”
Rudy is one of those guys that are usually like a secret weapon. Rudy has been BJ’s kickboxing coach for years but no one really knew about him until recently. Rudy is a great standup coach and is even good for some impromptu ground and pound drills as you are hitting mitts with him and he falls over for you to “finish strong”. Rudy is one of the nicest guys you could ever meet, is always there for you and will do everything in his power to help you out.
Website: http://RudyVHawaii.com
About Joe
by Joe Lauzon on Feb.23, 2009, under Blog
Joe “J-Lau” Lauzon
Age: 24
Born: May 22, 1984 in Brockton, Massachusetts
Hometown: East Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Pro Record: 18-4 (5 (T)KOs, 13 Submissions)
Former WFL Grand Prix & Mass Destruction Lightweight Champion
Star of The Ultimate Fighter 5
In a relatively short period, 24-year-old Joe “J-Lau” Lauzon has gone from computer geek to starring on The Ultimate Fighter 5 television reality show, upsetting a former world mixed-martial-arts champ, and then headlining UFC Fight Night 13.
Not too shabby for the nerd-looking but fearless fighting lightweight contender who has a Bachelor’s degree in computer networking from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston. Two years ago, he was fighting part-time and working full-time at Charles River Analytics in Cambridge (MA), where he was responsible for maintaining a 130-computer network.
Born in Brockton, Massachusetts, known as the “City of Champions” because Hall of Fame boxers Rocky Marciano and Marvelous Marvin Hagler fought out of there, Lauzon fought on the relatively small New England circuit during the early part of his still young MMA career, earning 2004 Massachusetts Fighter of the Year honors.
In 2006, “J-Lau” won an 8-man tournament by defeating three fighters on one night in the World Fighting League, and he was crowned WFL Grand Prix champion. His impressive showing led to a UFC contract, although he believed that he’d lose his love of fighting if he became a fulltime fighter and it became a job.
His UFC debut was against former world light weight champion Jens “Little Evil” Pulver (21-7-1), who was a solid 7-1 favorite, in UFC 63 (September 23, 2006). Lauzon immediately took Pulver to the mat, but they got up and Joe rocked Pulver with a right knee, leading to a devastating left hook that dropped Pulver. A barrage followed and the referee halted the fight at 43 seconds of the opening round, marking Pulver’s first UFC loss in eight fights.
“Going into the fight with Jens,” Lauzon reflected, “I had all the upper tier fighters on his plateau and I thought that I was far off. Getting a big win like that let me know that I could compete at that level.”
Lauzon’s impressive performance led to him being cast on The Ultimate Fighter 5, where Joe met his new mentor and training partner, UFC lightweight champion BJ Penn, who was his coach on the television series. Joe won his first two fights in the series against a team coached, ironically, by Pulver, but Joe lost a decision to Manvel Gamburyan in the semifinals. In the finale, however, “J-Lau” beat Brandon Melendez by submission (triangle choke) at 2:09 of the second round.
“The Ultimate Fighter was great for me because it put me on television in front of everyone,” Joe noted. “On the local level, MMA shows are filled by fighters selling tickets to their friends. The UFC has expanded that model by letting the world get to know fighters. You could fight a dozen times and still not have the same connection with people as you do when they see how you live for a month and a half.
After The Ultimate Fighter 5, Lauzon finally left his job at Charles River Analytics to become a fulltime MMA fighter, and took Penn up on his offer to train him, moving to Hawaii where one of his training partners was WEC featherweight champion Urijah Faber.
“Training with BJ was the best,” Lauzon remarked. “You always try to have a worst case scenario opponent in mind while training and BJ is just that” world-class Jiu-Jitsu, great striking with heavy ands and a solid chin, as well as crazy flexibility and takedown defense. All of that is hard to come by in one person, but BJ brings it all, the complete package. I am fortunate enough to have worked with BJ and I realize how much further I can improve. I am back training in Bridgewater at my school for this fight, but I’m sure I will be training with BJ again in the future.”
In November of 2007, Joe defeated Jason Reinhardt by submission (rear naked choke) in the first round at UFC 78: Validation, setting up an All-Massachusetts showdown against Kenny Florian in the main event on UFC Fight Night 13 in Denver on April 2. The older, more experienced Florian registered a win by second-round TKO. “I learned from that fight that I need to pace myself better and not think that I have to go all out from bell to bell,” Joe commented. “It was real tough in Colorado with the elevation. I tried to prepare for it but I didn’t do enough. It was a costly lesson but one that I will never make again.”
In his last fight (September 17, 2008), Joe demonstrated his improved boxing skills September 17 en route to stopping Kyle Bradley (13-6) at 1:34 of the second round on UFC Fight Night 15 in Omaha, Nebraska.
Lauzon, representing Lauzon MMA, has moved back to Massachusetts and is living again in the town he grew-up in, East Bridgewater. Given his youth and talent, along with Penn possibly moving up to the welterweight division, “J-Lau” hopes to soon be ranked in the UFC’s top 10 and eventually position himself for a UFC lightweight title shot.
Lauzon went on a 12-day goodwill trip (October, 2008) visiting U.S. military troops in Iraq and Kuwait. “It was awesome,” Lauzon said from home. “It was one of the happiest 12 days of my life. They kept us real busy going from one camp to another. We visited 14 camps in Iraq and Kuwait. The first hour we’d give demonstrations and the second we signed autographs and posed for pictures with them. I was thrilled to see all of them over there, away from their friends and family, but helping all of us back home. It was cool to see how excited and appreciative they were to see us. There are a lot of MMA fans over there, too. They watch UFC events on the Armed Forces Network, but, due to the time differences, it’s on there at 3 in the morning. They watch and then start their day at 6. It was a long, busy 12 days, but I’d definitely do it again. It’s something that I’ll never forget. I’m glad I did it.”
Back in the main event on Spike TV in his last action (February 7, 2009), Lauzon scored an impressive win against Jeremy Stephens (14-4, 10 KOs, 2 submissions), who was a late replacement for injured Hermes Franca (20-7). After suffering a 7-inch cut on his hairline from an elbow, Lauzon used a “fireman’s carry” to take power striker Stephens to the mat, where Joe mounted Jeremy and locked in a submission by arm-bar at 4:43 into the second round. Lauzon earned “Submission of the Night” honors.
“The flying heel hook is a move MMA people don’t see a lot,” Lauzon described his somewhat unconventional leg-lock. “I did it 4-5 months ago and decided to do it again. This was a good fight for me to showcase what I like to do in a UFC main event on Spike. I knew he (Stephens) was dangerous on his feet but not on the ground. My corner was upset with me at one point for getting caught with a few punches, but it wasn’t as bad as it looked, and I wasn’t hurt at all. Some thought I rushed for a submission after I got cut, but I stayed calm and I heard somebody in my corner yelling 45-seconds. I knew I had time for a submission, if I picked up the pace, and I did. He’s a tough, stocky kid.”
The UFC lightweight division, from top to bottom, is loaded. Lauzon finds himself on the verge of cracking into a spot among the UFC’s elite 155-pounders, chasing champion (and his former coach) B. J. Penn, former title-holder Sean Sherk and a rematch with Kenny Florian among the more notables. “I think the lightweight division, by far, is the toughest and deepest, talent-wise,” Lauzon commented. “A lot of those top guys are a solid 170-180 pounds, walking around, and lose weight to fight at 155. Someday I’d like a rematch with Kenny Florian, of course, and I want to fight Hermes, especially after all the trash he talked after pulling out of our fight. But he’s going to be out of action for a while with a torn ACL (knee injury). Next, I’d like somebody like Clay Guida (26-6), who just won a big fight against Nate Diaz (decision).”
Joe “J-Lau” Lauzon is promoted by the UFC, managed by Dean Albrecht, and trained by Joe Pomfret.
In Good Hands – Boston Herald Blog 4
by Joe Lauzon on Jan.30, 2009, under Blog, Press
Since I started this sport, I have always been fortunate to have great trainers. I have a great boxing trainer in Steve Maze and a great strength trainer in Steve Baccari. BJ, Rudy, Tony and Reagan were all incredible trainers on the Ultimate Fighter and while I was in Hawaii. The one trainer that has been there since Day 1, though, is Joe Pomfret.
Article on UFC.com – There’s No Place Like Home
by Joe Lauzon on Sep.14, 2008, under Blog, Press
Hilo, Hawaii. Not exactly the first place that comes to mind when you think of grueling training for mixed martial arts fights, or at least not the one that fits the stereotype of the gritty and grimy urban landscape which houses gyms that produce mean and nasty prizefighters.
Fight Night Journal Part 1
by Joe Lauzon on Mar.16, 2008, under Blog, Press
Last week I got to train with not only Ultimate Fighting Championship 155-pound champ B.J. Penn, but also World Extreme Cagefighting 145-pound champ Urijah Faber. I’ve got to be honest, I really can’t complain about spending the week training with two of the best pound-for-pound fighters out there.
From Snow to Sand: New Interview on UFC.com
by Joe Lauzon on Mar.06, 2008, under Blog
Success in the UFC can be a life-altering experience, maybe never as much as its been for Joe Lauzon. A former network administrator who still went back to his 9 to 5 job after a spectacular UFC debut in September of 2006, Lauzon has moved from life behind the desk to six weeks inside the reality television bubble as a member of The Ultimate Fighters fifth season cast, and then off to Hawaii, where he now trains full-time with UFC lightweight champ BJ Penn.
Visiting some schools around The Big Island
by Joe Lauzon on Mar.05, 2008, under Blog
This week I had the opportunity to go and speak with a few schools around the Big Island with BJ, Rudy, Scott, Parillo, Hoyt and Koa. We had a good time and talked with the kids about staying in school, not fighting on the streets and to set goals and pursue them.
Some Pictures from the Big Island
by Joe Lauzon on Feb.23, 2008, under Blog
Doing some sprints 
Going to the beach 
Hawaii is Paradise? Usually… not necesarily right now though
by Joe Lauzon on Feb.02, 2008, under Blog
This is what I was greeted by when I touched down in Hilo…
This is Downtown Hilo.
This is Rainbow Falls on a Normal Day…
This is Rainbow Falls Today.
This is Wailuku River on a Normal Day…
This is Wailuku River Today.
It’s been raining here for a while with no end in sight. Its a complete flood and all kinds of roads are closed and whatnot. I still love it out here, but not exactly what I was expecting when I returned.
Boston Herald Article that I didn’t see until now
by Joe Lauzon on Jan.09, 2008, under Blog, Press
Lauzon’s Penn pal has fighter ready
By DAN DUGGAN
17 November 2007
Boston Herald
It didn’t take B.J. Penn long to recognize there was something special about
Joe Lauzon. Penn was a coach on the fifth season of “The Ultimate Fighter”
reality show earlier this year and he knew after seeing Lauzon in tryouts
that the young fighter had potential.
“I just had a feeling about him,” Penn said. “When they were in the trials
to test who you want to pick, Joe wasn’t going real hard or doing a bunch of
things, but there was just something about him. He had some kind of fire.”
The only reason Penn hesitated to pick Lauzon was because Jens Pulver was
the opposing coach. In Lauzon’s UFC debut last September, the East Bridgewater
native knocked Pulver out and Penn was amused by the thought of watching the
two have to work together.
“I was looking at all of the picks and I was wondering who we were going to
pick. At first, I was like, `We shouldn’t pick Joe; we should put him on
Jens’ team just to mess with Jens’ head.’ But later on I was really glad
that me and Joe got together.”
The partnership was successful, as Lauzon won three fights during the
season, but lost in the semifinals to Manvel Gamburyan. More importantly for his
future, Lauzon forged a bond with Penn, one of the top lightweights in the
UFC.
After the season, Lauzon (14-3) accepted an invitation to join Penn in his
native Hawaii to train. Lauzon, 23, spent two months training with Penn in
preparation for his fight tonight at UFC 78 against Jason Reinhardt (18-0).
Lauzon jumped right into the five-hour, six-days-a-week training sessions,
something that didn’t surprise Penn.
“He was right there; he didn’t wimp out,” Penn said. “That’s one of the
reasons I wanted him to come (to Hawaii). He’s the kind of guy that gives
100 percent. On the show he was the one guy that anything I asked of him, he did
it in a heartbeat.”
Working with Penn was Lauzon’s first opportunity to train exclusively
without having to balance work, school or television, and Penn thinks the focus
solely on fighting will make a difference.
“Without a doubt (people are) going to see a new Joe Lauzon,” Penn
said. “I’m not going to sit here and say it’s because of me. It’s because of him. He
went there and he did the work. I know he definitely improved a lot in that
time.”
Now that the 5-foot-10, 155-pound Lauzon has the skills to match his
determination, Penn thinks he’ll be even tougher to beat.
“His best attribute is his intensity,” Penn said. “I was going to say
explosiveness or his heart, but it’s his intensity. That’s what he brings.
Every time he learns a new technique it’s just icing on the cake. When Joe
wants to turn it on, he can turn it on. That’s what makes him a great
fighter.”
Penn expects Lauzon to prevail over Reinhardt tonight, which would move him
up another notch in the lightweight division. As Lauzon continues to
improve, the possibility of a teacher-student fight could arise. It wouldn’t be
something that either would enjoy, but Penn understands that there could be
a time when the two meet in the Octagon.
“This is the UFC and it could happen,” Penn said. “As far as that, it’s not
even on my mind. Anytime he needs my help, I’ll help him and I know it’s
vice-versa. If it happens, it happens. There’s nothing we can do about it. If it
did ever happen I’d hope it would have to be for some kind of title fight.
I’m not looking forward to anything like that.”
If the two were to fight for the lightweight title down the road, Penn knows
what he’d tell his prized pupil.
“If I was the champion and Joe made it up there one day to fight me, I would
tell him you have to follow your dream,” Penn said. “And his dream is to be
the champ so you have to do what’s right and you have to go get that
championship belt.”
Interim OK with Penn
While Penn spent time training Lauzon, it’s not as if his fighting days are
over. Penn is scheduled to fight Joe Stevenson at UFC 80 on Jan. 19 for the
interim lightweight championship. The division is currently in flux while
current champion Sean Sherk appeals a positive steroid test.
Sherk failed the test following a win at UFC 73 in July and the appeals
process has been a long one, with his latest hearing postponed until Dec. 4.
Sherk isn’t happy about the fight for an interim champion, but Penn is
unfazed.
“I guess Sean Sherk doesn’t like the fact that we’re fighting for the
interim title,” Penn said. “He says it’s a fake title, but I sit here and say his
title is no more real than Marion Jones’ gold medals. Sean has to realize
that if you call this fake, you have to look in the mirror.”
Penn has his sights set on winning the interim title and then fighting
Sherk, assuming he wins his appeal. While Penn wants to win the title, he wished it
didn’t have to come under these circumstances.
“It’s kind of in shambles and it’s kind of sad,” Penn said. “But that’s
where the sport is right now so we’ll see what happens.”
`Ultimate’ reality
The headline bout tonight pits “The Ultimate Fighter 2″ heavyweight winner
Rashad Evans against “The Ultimate Fighter 3″ light heavyweight winner
Michael Bisbing in a light heavyweight matchup.
The event takes place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey,
marking the first UFC event on the East Coast in more than two years.
