UFC 180: Joe Lauzon tapped as replacement to battle Diego Sanchez in Mexico

We got a couple of bleeders!

After a knee injury rendered TUF ‘The Smashes’ lightweight tournament winner Norman Parke unable to compete against Diego Sanchez at UFC 180 next month, a bit of a troll job took place on social media last night via Parke’s fellow Irishman.

I am fighting @DiegoSanchezUFC in Mexico, November 15th. He spoke a big game. Now he will pay with his career. VIVA LA EIRE!!!

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 2, 2014

Even after UFC President Dana White squashed the rumor that many major media outlets ran with, McGregor continued to have some fun with it.

I am fighting @DiegoSanchezUFC in Mexico, November 15th. He spoke a big game. Now he will pay with his career. VIVA LA EIRE!!!

Looks like its fajita’s with the Fertitta’s in Mexico!!! #UFC180#McGregorVsSanchez

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 2, 2014

When you’re at the top of the world, why not have a little bit of fun. And while McGregor versus Sanchez at 155 lbs. would’ve been a fun little fight, it really was never necessary and we’re glad it’s not officially going down. Now, Joe Lauzon versus Sanchez on the other hand, that’s a fight we’re really looking forward too.

It was announced by the fine folks at the UFC earlier today that their all time bonus leader (13) Joe Lauzon will be filling in for Parke to take on a 7-time fight of the night winner in Sanchez. This is one of those fights that just had to happen before both of these guys close out their respective legendary UFC careers. We’re talking about two company men with incredible ground games that love to slug it out for the fans.

Many people tend to forget that Sanchez, the original Ultimate Fighter, began his career with a pro record of 17-0 with 8 submission finishes. He’s become more a brawl based decision machine who has seen many highs and lows hopping back and forth between 155 lbs. and 170 lbs. since coming up short in his one chance at a world title against B.J. Penn back at UFC 107. In Joe Lauzon, he’s facing a guy whose career has been filled with highs and lows as well.

They don’t make them like Joe Lauzon anymore. and quite honestly we may never see a fighter like him in this sport again. Since KO’ing Jens Pulver as a +700 dog in his UFC debut at the age of 22, Lauzon has become one of those must see guys in the sport. He hasn’t been winning these bonuses because of name value, he’s been earning them with talent, heart, pure unadulterated violence, and great dancing partners – like Sanchez.

Expect tons of blood, sweet and a couple of $50K bonus checks when Lauzon and Sanchez collide in Mexico at UFC 180. Here is a quick look at the Cain Velasquez-Fabricio Werdum headlined card as it stands today:

• Heavyweight Title Bout: Cain Velasquez (C) (13-1) vs. Fabricio Werdum (18-5-1)

• Welterweight Bout: Jake Ellenberger (29-8) vs. Kelvin Gastelum (9-0)

• Lightweight Bout: Joe Lauzon (24-9) vs. Diego Sanchez (25-7)

• Featherweight Bout: Ricardo Lamas (14-3) vs. Dennis Bermudez (14-3)

• Women’s Bantamweight Bout: Jessica Eye (10-2) vs. Leslie Smith (7-5-1)

• Bantamweight Bout: Erik Perez (14-6) vs. Marcus Brimage (6-3)

• Welterweight Bout: Edgar Garcia (14-3) vs. Hector Urbina (16-8-1)

• Bantamweight Bout: TUF Latin America Finals (TBD)

• Featherweight Bout: TUF Latin America Finals (TBD)