After debuting in the UFC three years ago as the youngest competitor in the promotion’s history, Dan Lauzon suffered back to back losses for the first and only time in his professional career. After battling back on the local scene with seven straight wins–all by stoppage–Lauzon looked to be nearing the spotlight once again when he signed with Affliction Entertainment, defeating Bobby Green in his debut for the promotion last January. Unfortunately for Lauzon, promotional troubles and personal injury would keep him sidelined for the remainder of the year, but come Saturday, January 2, “The Upgrade” will be looking to break out in a big way when he takes on Cole Miller on the Spike TV-televised portion of UFC 108, which airs live on Pay Per View from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Tapology’s Steven Kelliher recently caught up with Lauzon to discuss training side by side with his older brother, Joe Lauzon, as they prepare to fight on the same UFC card for the first time in their careers, as well as his thoughts on Cole Miller and why he feels his opponent would do well to steer clear of the stand-up game once the bell rings.
Tapology: How has training for your next fight been going and how has your body recovered from your injury last September?
Lauzon: Training has been going great. I’ve been training with Joe [Lauzon] side by side for the last 12 weeks. We’re not training together because we have different opponents, so I’m training with guys that simulate Cole Miller and he’s training with guys that simulate Sam Stout. My weight is pretty much perfect—right now I’m right around 164lbs. I’m in great shape and the back feels good. I’m ready to rock and roll.
Tapology: Last time we spoke you mentioned your cardio as the aspect of your game you most wanted to improve. Do you feel that you have stepped it up for this next fight?
Lauzon: I definitely stepped it up and I think that a reason that my weight is right on is that I’ve stepped up the cardio for this fight. I’ve been doing five five-minute rounds of sparring every night—sometimes 10 to 12 rounds—and the fight’s only going to be three rounds, so I don’t think it’s going to be an issue in this fight.
Tapology: Joe mentioned when I spoke with him that it is an advantage to train with you for the same fight card. What advantages has that had for you both?
Lauzon: It’s good when you have someone else in the gym that has the same date. You’re both going through the same struggles in the every day grind. My first fight ever I fought on the same night as Joe, and it just creates an intense atmosphere because I want to do better than him and he wants to do better than me. I think it will be the same way when we go in there January 2. I am going to want to set the bar for him when I go in there.
I’m just focusing on my fight and he is focusing on his. I’m telling you right now that I’m going to be nervous going into this fight. It’s my first fight back in the UFC so of course I’m going to be nervous, but I would be worried if I wasn’t. I always fight better when I’m nervous, when my back is up against a wall and I have to fight my way out of it. I’m looking forward to it and I think it’s going to bring the best out of both of us.
Tapology: Your fight is likely to be shown on Spike TV prior to the Pay Per View broadcast. How big is that for you?
Lauzon: It’s cool for me. It’s going to be one of the fights on Spike, so I’ll get to showcase my skills on TV. I can’t wait.
Tapology: Moving onto Cole Miller, do you think he is the toughest guy you have fought aside from Spencer Fisher?
Lauzon: No, I actually think the toughest guy I fought was Deividas Taurosevicius. He just fought in the WEC not too long ago and beat Javier Vazquez. That was my toughest fight, but Cole Miller is definitely a worthy opponent. I think he’s right up there, but I am just looking forward to it. He is a lanky Jiu-Jitsu guy, but I’m not too worried about his stand-up. I hope he does go out there and try to stand with me because I don’t think it’s going to end well for him.
Tapology: Are you going to be looking to keep this one standing up?
Lauzon: Wherever the fight goes I’m not too worried, but I want to keep it on the feet. We might go to the ground in the later rounds, but he is dangerous off of his back when he’s fresh.
Tapology: Do you think Miller might be a little gun-shy following his knockout loss to Efrain Escudero?
Lauzon: Efrain is a good friend of mine—I have talked to him a couple of times for this fight—and he has given me a bit of a game plan for this fight. Cole should realize he’s not a stand-up fighter, he is more of a Jiu-Jitsu guy so if he’s going to go out there and stand with me it’s not in his best interest.
I’ve actually heard that his game plan is to go out there and get right in my face, and I hope that’s his plan because like I said, it’s not in his best interest. I’m in great shape and I want to end it quickly. I’m going to stay relaxed and composed, and when I see my window of opportunity I’m going to take it.
Tapology: How do you see this fight going overall?
Lauzon: Basically, I’m just going to go out there and knock him out, and knock him out quick. That’s the plan.
Tapology: Thanks for the time and good luck.
Lauzon: Thanks.
