Tuesday at BJPenn.com means Just Scrap Radio Live.  Episode 5 first guest is Joe Lauzon.  Joe was on BJ Penn’s team on The Ultimate Fighter 5, against a team coached by Jens Pulver.  Lauzon’s mixed martial arts record consists of 28 total fights – 21 of 28 are wins, 4 by knockout, 17 by submission.

Joe Lauzon is facing Terry Etim in the upcoming UFC on Fox 4 August 4 Los Angeles Staple Center who Joe describes as

“A really tall British kid 6’3’”

Q:  Is this the fight  where you’re looking to take him to the mat and sub him?

Joe Lauzon:

I think the quicker the fight goes to the mat, the quicker I maintain his reach which I think is the biggest thing.  That’s gonna be the toughest part of the match dealing with him being so long.  That’s going to apply on the feet dealing with his kicking range and punching range and also on the ground he’s long to wrap up guillotines and triangles and all submissions all long guys like.

I’m definitely looking to take the fight down and taking away some of that reach.  As time goes on its more and more important to have success on your stand up, If I shoot on Etim from the get go and he’s going to wrap up my head and get me on something.  I’m definitely hoping to stand up with him a little bit in the beginning.

My game is typically throw some punches, take someone down, beat him up on the ground then attempt for submission.   It really won’t deviate from that on this fight and I got to make sure I’m not shooting from too far away.

Q:  Are we going to see a lot more clinching and dirty boxing so you can stop his offense?  Do you prefer being on the top or you don’t really care either way?  How do you want to see this end up as far as clinching and you taking him down?  Do you care if it goes on your back or are you more excited about getting on top and bring down punches and stir things up?

Joe Lauzon:

In general, I would rather be on top but I’m never worried about being on my back.  I’m very very comfortable being on my back – setting up sweeps, setting up submissions.

I’m never uncomfortable being on my back but if I got a preference I would be on top stuffing someone against the fence and dropping stuff down on them.  You talk about clinch stuff – I’m constantly working on them.  A lot of times because I attack so quickly I have fights that are very very short.  I’ve had really long training camps.  I’ve worked on a lot of stuff on those camps and a lot of things people haven’t seen yet.  Like, I’ve done a great job in hitting takedowns on the clinch and throw, my wrestling has come a long way and pinning people against the fence.  There’s so many stuff that I’ve gotten very good at but people hasn’t seen yet.

I’m comfortable wherever the fight goes.  I’ve got all kinds of tricks for all kinds of positions that people just haven’t seen yet.  I’ll be happy no matter what happens.

Hear more of Joe Lauzon’s interview at the Just Scrap Radio Episode 5

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