Issue 208

August 2024

Joe Lauzon shocks the MMA world by knocking out Jens Pulver in 48 seconds at UFC 63, marking the beginning of his rise in the UFC and proving that in the Octagon, even the underdog can deliver a knockout punch.

MMA is a sport where unpredictability reigns supreme, and few moments capture the chaos more than Joe Lauzon’s shocking knockout of Jens Pulver at UFC 63. Lauzon, a relative unknown outside of the America's Northeast MMA scene, was expected to be nothing more than a stepping stone for Pulver’s triumphant return to the UFC lightweight division. But as fate would have it, Joe Lauzon never got the memo. Facing off against a former UFC lightweight champion with a reputation for knockout power, Lauzon was supposed to be the sacrificial lamb. Pulver, who had just returned from competing overseas, was set to remind everyone why he was once the man to beat. Instead, Lauzon turned the script on its head with a stunning 48-second knockout that left the Anaheim crowd in disbelief.

This wasn’t just an upset; it was the kind of moment that turns a career on its head. Lauzon, a grappler by trade, used Pulver’s strength against him, delivering a punch that sent ‘Lil Evil’ crashing to the canvas. That single strike didn’t just win the fight—it announced Joe Lauzon as a force to be reckoned within the UFC.

In the aftermath of that unforgettable night, Lauzon’s journey in the UFC would only gain momentum. His victory over Pulver earned him a spot on The Ultimate Fighter 5, where he quickly became a favorite under the mentorship of BJ Penn. Though he didn’t win the season, Lauzon’s star was on the rise, and his subsequent victories solidified his place among the lightweight elite.

UFC 63 wasn’t just another event; it was the night Joe Lauzon made sure everyone knew his name. In the Octagon, anything can happen, and on that day, Lauzon proved that sometimes, the underdog bites back with a vengeance.

Date: September 23, 2006

Location: UFC 63, Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, California