Joe Lauzon, 26, has practiced Jiu-Jitsu since 2001, and his record now boasts nineteen wins and five losses. And even with eight fights in the UFC (6w, 2l) under his belt, the fighter from Massachussets wants to carry on evolving.

The UFC athlete is brushing up on his Jiu-Jitsu with Brazil’s Abmar Barbosa, and the work has been paying off.

In his last fight, Joe exhibited a slick ground game in finishing Gabe Ruediger in the first round. His next commitment, on the 20th at UFC 123 – Lyoto vs. Rampage, will be the acid test: he’s going to face Australia’s Georges Sotiropoulos, a gentle art black belt.

After an hour’s training with Abmar, Joe had a chat with GRACIEMAG.com:

Lauzon points to Abmar. Photo: Publicity.

How important is Jiu-Jitsu in your game?

Jiu-Jitsu is definitely the most important part of my game. I started with Jiu-Jitsu and when something goes bad, I always revert back to it.

Jiu-Jitsu is king when it comes to mixed martial arts. For me, though, Jiu-Jitsu starts on the feet and begins with a takedown. Pulling guard is not very smart in MMA, but when your Jiu-Jitsu includes good takedowns, it is definitely the best.

When did you start Jiu-Jitsu?

I started training Jiu-Jitsu in 2001, while in high school.

Was your fight at UFC 118 the best of your career?

My last fight was great. I was sharp all the way around… with my boxing, wrestling, and most importantly, my Jiu-Jitsu. I fought a black belt and was a few steps ahead of him the entire fight.

How has training with Abmar Barbosa been?

Abmar is the best at breaking things down for me so I can understand and make the most of my time. We do a lot of drilling of specific positions and he is like a drill sergeant going over and over. My training camp for this fight has been great and I will definitely be ready!

Joe Lauzon, 26 anos, treina Jiu-Jitsu desde 2001, e seu cartel hoje apresenta19v e 5d. E, mesmo com oito lutas no UFC (6v, 2d), o americano de Massachusetts quer continuar evoluindo.

O atleta do UFC está afiando seu Jiu-Jitsu com o brasileiro Abmar Barbosa, o que vem dando resultado.

Em sua última luta, Joe exibiu um bom jogo de solo e finalizou Gabe Ruediger no primeiro round. Seu próximo compromisso, no dia 20 no UFC 123 – Lyoto x Rampage, será uma prova de fogo: ele enfrenta o australiano Georges Sotiropoulos, faixa-preta da arte suave.

Após mais um treino com Abmar, Joe bateu um papo com o GRACIEMAG.com:

Lauzon aponta para Abmar. Foto: Divulgação.

Qual a importância do Jiu-Jitsu no seu estilo de lutar?

Definitivamente o Jiu-Jitsu é a parte mais importante do meu jogo. Comecei treinando de kimono, e sempre que algo dá errado, eu sempre apelo para ele.
O Jiu-Jitsu reina no MMA. Para mim, porém, o Jiu-Jitsu já começa de pé, quando eu tento derrubar. Puxar para a guarda não é muito inteligente no MMA, mas se o Jiu-Jitsu inclui a parte de quedas, fica imbatível.

Quando você começou a treinar?

Em 2001, quando estava no segundo grau no colégio.

Sua luta no UFC 118 foi a melhor de sua carreira no chão?

Foi excelente, eu estava afiadíssimo em todos os aspectos. Boxe, wrestling e especialmente o Jiu-Jitsu. O cara era um faixa-preta, e mesmo assim eu estava um passo a frente dele a luta inteira.

Como tem sido os treinos com Abmar?

Abmar é o cara que melhor analisa as posições para mim e me explica tudo direitinho, e o treino está rendendo muito. Fazemos muito drill com posições específicas e ele é um sargento, repetindo tudo o tempo todo. O camp para a próxima luta está sendo ótimo, e eu certamente estarei pronto!

Demian back in December. Photo: Josh Hedges

Since beating Mario Miranda at UFC 118, Demian Maia should face Kendall Grove in the grand finale of 12^th season of the “The Ultimate Fighter” reality show. The fight isn’t yet official, but the show is set for December 4 in Las Vegas, and features a fight between Stephan Bonnar and Igor Pokrajac.

Now Brandon Vera and Thiago Silva should face off at UFC 125 in Las Vegas January 1^st. Vera is coming off back-to-back losses, while Silva lost in his last outing, to Rashad Evans.

Australian beast George Sotiropoulos returns to the cage at UFC 123, November 20 in Michigan. A win over Joe Lauzon places the lightweight near a title fight.

Duffee knocked out; his last moment in the UFC. Photo: Josh Hedges

The one who got a raw deal was Todd Duffee, who has lived through extremes during his brief ride in the UFC. First he carried out the quickest knockout in the organization’s history beating Tim Haugue in just seven seconds. Then he suffered an unexpected loss – the first of his career –, a knockout from a single strike from the chubby Mike Russow, against the run of play. Duffee was set to face Jon Madsen at UFC 121 in October, but a knee injury pulled him from the bout. To add insult to injury, the fighter was released from the event.

Demian de volta em dezembro. Foto: Josh Hedges

Depois da vitória sobre Mario Miranda no UFC 118, Demian Maia deve encarar Kendall Grove no evento final da 12ª edição do reality show “The Ultimate Fighter”. A luta não é ainda oficial, mas o show acontece no dia 4 de dezembro, em Las Vegas, também com Stephan Bonnar contra Igor Pokrajac. 

Já Brandon Vera e Thiago Silva devem se enfrentarem no UFC 125, em Las Vegas, no dia 1º de janeiro. Vera vem de duas derrotas, enquanto Silva perdeu na última apresentação, contra Rashad Evans. 

A fera da Austrália George Sotiropoulos volta ao octagon no UFC 123, em Michigan, no dia 20 de novembro. Uma vitória contra Joe Lauzon coloca o peso leve próximo da disputa de cinturão.    

Duffe é nocauteado, seu último momento no UFC. Foto: Josh Hedges

Ruim ficou para Todd Duffee, que viveu extremos na rápida passagem pelo UFC. Primeiro aplicou o nocaute mais rápido da organização, contra Tim Haugue, em apenas 7s de luta. Depois sofreu uma derrota inesperada – a primeiro da carreira -, um nocaute num único golpe do gordinho Mike Russow, quando dominava a luta. Duffee estava escalado para enfrentar Jon Madsen no UFC 121, em outubro, mas uma contusão no joelho o tirou do desafio. Por fim, agora o lutador está demitido do evento.

Experiente no boxe amador, Belfort explode rumo ao nocaute em Matt Lindland, no extinto Affliction. Foto: Divulgação.

Via Twitter, Vitor Belfort pediu a Dana White para enfrentar o quarentão James Toney, boxeador arrasado por Randy Couture no UFC 118. O inusitado foi que @vitorbelfort deu ao cartola uma sugestão corajosa, talvez arriscada, quem sabe doida, mas que pode ser uma grande cartada: enfrentar Toney apenas em pé, nas regras do boxe, no Octagon.

“Dana, me faça lutar com James Toney numa luta de boxe com seis rounds. Acredito que posso pegá-lo graças à minha velocidade. Seria a primeira luta de boxe da história do UFC, e eu prometo que ele iria sentir meus poderes. Com essa luta poderíamos provar que os lutadores de UFC são melhores (que boxeadores)”, disparou Vitor, que tem uma luta de boxe profissional no cartel. Vitória por nocaute técnico no primeiro assalto, em abril de 2006, no Brasil.

Que tal parece a ideia, amigo leitor?

Toney put through the wringer by Couture. Photo: Josh Hedges

At UFC 118, which took place last Saturday in Boston, the main event was between Frank Edgar and BJ Penn, in a lightweight title dispute. Nevertheless, the biggest payout didn’t go to the participants in that bout.

Nor did the heftiest paycheck go to Randy Couture, a hall-of-famer and one of the biggest idol of the sport in the USA. The fattest check was James Toney’s, the boxing champion who made his first appearance in MMA. Just three minutes and nineteen seconds in the octagon, during which time the fighter succumbed to a snug arm-triangle choke by Couture – read, not much work –, was enough for the pugilist to pocket five hundred thousand dollars.

Check out the payouts for the last UFC event:

Frankie Edgar: US$96,000
B.J. Penn: US$150,000

Randy Couture: US$250,000
def. James Toney: US$500,000

Demian Maia: US$68,000
Mario Miranda: US$8,000

Gray Maynard: US$46,000
Kenny Florian: US$65,000

Nate Diaz: US$60,000 + US$60, 00 (best fight)
Marcus Davis: US$31,000 + US$60, 00 (best fight)

Joe Lauzon: US$24,000 + US$60, 00 (best submission)
Gabe Ruediger: US$8,000

Nik Lentz: US$22,000
Andre Winner: US $10,000

Dan Miller: US$30,000
John Salter: US $8,000

Greg Soto: US$12,000
Nick Osipczak: US$10,000

Mike Pierce: US$24,000
Amilcar Alves: US$6,000

There was no best knockout prize, as there were no knockouts at the event.

Toney no sufoco contra Couture. Foto: Josh Hedges

No UFC 118, que aconteceu no ultimo sábado, em Boston, a luta principal foi entre Frankie Edgar e BJ Penn, a disputa pelo cinturão de leves. Entretanto, nem por isso o salário mais alto foi destinado aos protagonistas de tal combate. 

A bolada também não foi para Randy Couture, membro do hall da fama da organização e um dos maiores ídolos da modalidade nos EUA. O maior salário foi para James Toney, fera do boxe que jamais havia se apresentado no MMA. Apenas 3min19s no octagon, tempo em que o lutador sucumbiu diante de um justo katagatame aplicado por Couture – diga-se, sem muito trabalho -, foram suficientes para o pugilista faturar 500 mil dólares. 

Confira as bolsas pagas na edição:   

Frankie Edgar: US$96,000
B.J. Penn: US$150,000

Randy Couture: US$250,000
def. James Toney: US$500,000

Demian Maia: US$68,000
Mario Miranda: US$8,000

Gray Maynard: US$46,000
Kenny Florian: US$65,000

Nate Diaz: US$60,000 + US$60, 00 (melhor luta)
Marcus Davis: US$31,000 + US$60, 00 (melhor luta)

Joe Lauzon: US$24,000 + US$60, 00 (melhor finalização)
Gabe Ruediger: US$8,000

Nik Lentz: US$22,000
Andre Winner: US $10,000

Dan Miller: US$30,000
John Salter: US $8,000

Greg Soto: US$12,000
Nick Osipczak: US$10,000

Mike Pierce: US$24,000
Amilcar Alves: US$6,000 

Não houve prêmio pelo melhor nocaute, pois não houve nocautes na edição.

Demente (no shirt) in one of his six matches at Grapplers Quest last Saturday. The black belt submitted everyone at the UFC 118 fair. Photos: Personal archive.

Ricardo “Demente” Abreu can’t wait to kick off his MMA career.

In the meantime, he’s training full on with beasts like André Galvão and Ronaldo Jacaré. But to sense the smell of the arena from up close, the heavyweight from São Paulo went to Boston, Massachusetts, to compete at the UFC Fan Expo, a fair where a special edition of Grapplers Quest went down Friday and Saturday to entertain the fans at UFC 118.

After three matches, Demente won the no-gi absolute on Friday, again demonstrating how he is one of the toughest competitors around these days, having been the only one to escape tapping out to Roger Gracie at the last World Championship.

Ricardo then went on to don his pants and coat for a double win, as he reported to GRACIEMAG.com as soon as he came back from Boston.

“Thank God I won over there! I had three matches in the absolute and got the submission in all three,” said Demente. “I also did the gi absolute, had another three matches and three submissions.”

“In grappling, the main division at the competition, it was a sudden-death bracket; whoever lost was out. I won the three matches by tapout: the first with an armbar in twenty five seconds; the second I won by kneebar in nineteen seconds; the third by armbar again, in just over fifty seconds,” he says.

“In Jiu-Jitsu I had another three matches. Tthe first I won by kneebar in thirty eight seconds. The second I won by armbar in fifty five seconds, and the third (the final) by choke after one minute and twenty five seconds,” he says in closing.

Check back later for more news on the UFC Fan Expo here on GRACIEMAG.com.

Demente (sem camisa) numa das seis lutas que fez no Grapplers Quest, no último sábado. O faixa-preta finalizou todas na feira do UFC 118. Fotos: Acervo Pessoal.

Ricardo Abreu, o Demente, não vê a hora de começar a carreira no MMA.

Por enquanto, os treinos comem soltos no Rio de Janeiro com feras como André Galvão e Ronaldo Jacaré. Porém, para sentir o cheiro da arena de mais perto, o peso pesado paulista foi até Boston, Massachusetts, competir na UFC Fan Expo, feira que contou, sexta-feira e sábado, com uma edição especial do Grapplers Quest para divertir os fãs no UFC 118.

Após três lutas, Demente venceu na sexta o absoluto sem kimono, voltando a demonstrar que é um dos competidores mais duros da atualidade, ele que no último Mundial foi o único a escapar da finalização contra Roger Gracie.

E Ricardo ainda vestiu a calça e o paletó de pano para vencer duplamente, como ele contou ao GRACIEMAG.com assim que chegou de viagem.

“Graças a Deus fui campeão lá! Foram três lutas no absoluto, e consegui finalizar as três”, disse Demente. “Lutei também o absoluto com kimono, foram mais três lutas e três finalizações”.

“No grappling, a categoria principal da competição, era uma chave de mata-mata, quem perdesse ia embora. Ganhei as três lutas por finalização: a primeira foi um armlock em 25 segundos de luta. Na segunda, encaixei um leglock aos 19 segundos. Na terceira peguei com armlock de novo, com pouco mais de 50 segundos de luta”, ele conta.

“No Jiu-Jitsu, mais três lutas. A primeira eu venci de leglock aos 38 segundos. A segunda finalizei de armlock aos 55 segundos, e a terceira (a final), foi com um estrangulamento,  a 1 minuto e 25 segundos de luta”, encerra.

Aguarde mais notícias da UFC Fan Expo aqui, no GRACIEMAG.com.

Demian Maia returned to his winning ways at UFC 118, with a unanimous decision over Mario Miranda. The black belt, in a conversation with GRACIEMAG.com, explains why he was so close to the tapout, but couldn’t manage to get his opponent to quit. In the following interview, Demian also comments on how Anderson Silva, the man to beat him in his penultimate fight, was in his opponent’s corner.

Check out the chat:

Your opponent was switched for Mario Miranda. What did you think of him?

It ended up not being Alan Belcher, but he was an opponent up to par, as his record shows. He’s tall, well-rounded, very hard to finish. He’s strong for his weight and I feel it was a good return fight for me. Thank God it all worked out and I managed to do what I trained to do.

What was missing for you to get the tapout in the fight, since you were so close to it so many times?

First, he defends really well, and in really sticky situations, where you have to defend taking blows. Sport Jiu-Jitsu is one thing, MMA is really different. He defended really well in difficult positions. I didn’t try to finish him from his back that much and I think I could have been more incisive there. Now I tried to get his arm several times, but he really did escape. It’s something I need to fix, but credit to him, too.

Demian landed good takedowns at UFC 118. Photo: Josh Hedges

What may be next for you in the UFC?

Things are all mixed up at this weight (middleweight). At this weight, in my 15 fights, I only have two losses and to excellent athletes. I feel it’s a bit of an illusion thinking dropping weight will be easier. Who knows, I might try it out some day, but I’m not stuck on that. But for the time being, I don’t intend to.

With Anderson in his corner, it just made me more determined to win,” Demian

Anderson was in Mario’s corner. Did you two speak? Did it add any emotion for you during the fight?

I don’t speak with him nor do I have a relationship with him. We greet each other normally, but we have no personal rapport. I respect, above all, the fighter who faced me. Mario Miranda is an excellent athlete and seems to be a good person. Now with Anderson in his corner, it just made me more determined to win.

What did you think of Anderson’s submission of Chael Sonnen, that double attack from the triangle, in pure Jiu-Jitsu style?

That’s Jiu-Jitsu for you. It’s the martial art Brazil created for the world and those who train all the time will have a card up their sleeve. I think he’s a smart guy, because he trains Jiu-Jitsu.

Demian Maia voltou a vencer bem no UFC 118, num triunfo por unanimidade contra Mario Miranda. O faixa-preta, em conversa com GRACIEMAG.com, explica porque esteve tão perto da finalização, mas não conseguiu fazer o oponente desistir. Na entrevista a seguir, Demian também comenta o fato de Anderson Silva, seu algoz na penúltima apresentação, estar no corner do adversário.

Confira o bate-papo:

Seu adversário foi trocado e veio o Mario Miranda. O que achou desse oponente?

Acabou não sendo o Alan Belcher, mas foi um adversário a altura, como o próprio cartel mostra. É um cara alto, completo, muito difícil de ser finalizado. Ele é forte para o peso e acredito que foi uma luta boa para eu voltar. Graças a Deus deu tudo certo e consegui fazer o que treinei.

O que faltou para conseguir finalizar a luta, já que muitas vezes esteve em situações próximas disso?

Primeiro, ele se defende muito bem, e numa situação muito difícil, que é se defender levando socos. No Jiu-Jitsu esportivo é uma coisa, mas no MMA é bem diferente. Ele se defendeu muito bem em posições difíceis. Não tentei pegar tanto nas costas e acho que poderia ter sido mais incisivo ali. Já o braço tentei pegar algumas vezes, mas ele realmente escapou. É uma coisa que preciso corrigir, mas é mérito dele também.

Demian aplicou boas quedas no UFC 118. Foto: Josh Hedges

O que deve surgir para você no seguimento pelo UFC?

É uma mistura muito grande nesse peso (médio). Não quero esperar nada para não criar expectativa. Quero apenas lutar de novo, quando o Ultimate me chamar, e vencer para ganhar espaço.

Você já pensou em descer de categoria? Seria viável?

Viável é. Acho que conseguiria. Mas me sinto bem no médio. Nesse peso, nas minhas 15 lutas, tenho apenas duas derrotas e para atletas excelentes. Acho que é um pouco de ilusão achar que se baixar de peso vai ser mais fácil. Quem sabe não faça a experiência algum dia, não sou fechado a isso. Mas, por enquanto, não pretendo.

Com o Anderson no corner dele, só tive mais vontade de ganhar”, Demian

O Anderson ficou no corner do Mario. Vocês se falaram? Isso trouxe alguma emoção para você durante a luta?

Não converso e nem tenho relação com ele. Nos cumprimentamos normalmente, mas não temos relação pessoal nenhuma. Respeito, acima de tudo, o lutador que me enfrentou. O Mario Miranda é um excelente atleta e parece ser uma boa pessoa. Agora, com o Anderson no corner dele, só tive mais vontade de ganhar.

O que achou da finalização do Anderson contra o Chael Sonnen, aquele ataque duplo do triângulo, no puro Jiu-Jitsu?

Só o Jiu-Jitsu mesmo. É a arte marcial que o Brasil criou para o mundo e quem a treina sempre vai ter um trunfo na manga. Acho que ele é um cara inteligente, porque treina Jiu-Jitsu.

Frankie Edgar caught BJ Penn by surprise yet again, at UFC 118, and retained his lightweight belt in his first title defense. The Ricardo Cachorrão Jiu-Jitsu purple belt recently spoke with GRACIEMAG.com correspondent Nalty Jr. Check out this exclusive chat and get to know more about the under 155-lb number-1.

What was your childhood like?

Ever since I was a child I always had a thing for fighting. At six years of age I was already practicing fighting around my neighborhood. Fighting was definitely a sport to me.

What’s more difficult, conquering the belt or keeping it?

In my opinion, keeping the belt is the harder part. Conquering it is hard, too; it’s certainly a long way to the top. But after you have the belt and are champion, everyone wants to take it from you. Keeping the belt is much more complicated.

How do you deal with all the fame that comes with being champion?

Attention from the fans is a bit stronger than it was before. A lot of fans stop me to talk and take photos, a lot more than before. I learned to deal with the fame. I feel that I’m going to get more famous, and I’m progressively learning how to deal with that. I just can’t lose focus in training because the most important thing for a fighter’s career is training, improving your performance and winning fights. Otherwise, all this attention from the public comes to an end.

Edgar nails BJ Penn. Photo: Josh Hedges

What was your toughest fight, trickiest opponent?

BJ, he was my toughest opponent.

What do you think of the other fighters in your division right now?

It’s a division with a lot of talent, one of the most stacked. There are really competitive fighters, all tough guys.

Do you feel having a good strategy is the most important part to winning in MMA?

It’s really important to have a good strategy because we have to play our game and not get caught in our opponent’s. Strategy might not be a guarantee of victory, but it is surely a fundamental part to winning.

Are your wrestling skills solid enough to fight on the ground?

You have to respect Jiu-Jitsu. My wrestling is good for taking my opponent down, but if you fight a Jiu-Jitsu guy and don’t now Jiu-Jitsu, you’ll definitely have problems.

Frankie at training at Cachorrão's academy. Photo: Luca Atalla

You train with a lot of Brazilian black belts, among them Ricardo Cachorrão and Renzo Gracie. What is that relationship like?

Cachorrão is like my brother. He’s been great for my career and has been the best thing for me. Everyone I met through Jiu-Jitsu, the whole Gracie family, is a great person. I’ve never been to Brazil, I just know it through what Ricardo tells me, that it’s a beautiful country. We have to plan a trip to Brazil n the future.

What did you think of Renzo’s MMA return?

I thought it was great. Renzo is an ambassador for the sport, a good guy to everybody. Everywhere, everyone loves Renzo. That’s great for the sport. He’s a legend.

In my mind, I’m always going to win. I’m really competitive” Frankie Edgar

You grew up as part of your school wrestling team in the USA. In Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu has been implanted in schools. What do you think of that?

It’s great to have some kind of martial art in school. I consider wrestling a martial art, as is Jiu-Jitsu. It’s really good for little kids to learn these arts because it teaches discipline and confidence. It’s really cool that they teach Jiu-Jitsu in school in Abu Dhabi. I’d like to see schools teaching it in America, as well.

Do you feel more pressure to win the fight or put on a show for the fans?

In my mind, I’m always going to win, because I’m really competitive. I always think that if I do my game and put my plan to practice it will be good training. I’m a fighter who always fights on the attack.

How would you describe yourself?

I’m a family man, have two kids. I definitely put family first.

What’s the secret to your physical conditioning?

I train a lot, train hard. I think that is much more mental than anything else. You have to train a lot and have a strong mind.

Rolling with Vinicius Draculino. Photo: Luca Atalla

What’s your motivation? What will it take to get even better?

My motivation is just to win, I think… My family also motivates me. I have to improve my ability in finishing fights. That’s the main part that I need to improve on in my game. I’m trying to work on my game so I can sink holds and finish.

What are your thoughts on the direction MMA has taken?

MMA is my favorite sport. I’m not interested in any other sport like baseball, football, basketball… I think MMA has the best athletes in the world and the sport is on the right path. But I also think some things will change at the right time. It’s such a new sport that we’re learning as time goes by. Ten or fifteen years from now it will be really different and I hope it’s for the better. The more attention the media gives us, the better. It’s possible that MMA will become the most popular sport in the world from one minute to the next.

Nothing comes easy, overnight” Frank Edgar

What would you tell someone who wants to be a champion like you?

What I have to say is that you have to work hard and be dedicated. Nothing comes easy, overnight. One really needs to invest time in it. If you really want to become a champion you need lots of dedication.

And what do you have to say to your fans?

Thanks for the support. You’re the best fans in the world!

UFC 118

Boston, Massachusetts, EUA

August 28, 2010

Frankie Edgar defeated BJ Penn via unanimous decision
Randy Couture submitted James Toney via arm triangle at 3:19 min of R1
Demian Maia defeated Mario Miranda via unanimous decision
Gray Maynard defeated Kenny Florian via unanimous decision
Nate Diaz submitted Marcus Davis via guillotine at 4:02 min of R3
Joe Lauzon submitted Gabe Ruediger via armbar at 2:01 min of R2
Nik Lentz defeated Andre Winner via unanimous decision
Dan Miller submitted John Salter via arm triangle at 1:53 min of R2
Greg Soto defeated Nick Osipczak via unanimous decision
Mike Pierce submitted Almicar Alves via armbar at 3:11 min of R3