Joe Lauzon Wins BKFC Debut at Fenway With 5 Knockdowns

Joe Lauzon knocked down Stash Kuykendall five times and finished him in the second round to win his bare-knuckle boxing debut Saturday night at Fenway Park in Boston.

The 42-year-old UFC veteran hadn't competed in years, but he looked sharp from the opening bell of the BKFC card at the historic ballpark. Lauzon backed Kuykendall to the ropes early, worked the body, then landed a right hand that put Kuykendall down for the first time. He added a second knockdown before the round ended.

How Lauzon Finished Kuykendall

Lauzon picked up right where he left off once the second round started, dropping Kuykendall again almost immediately. Kuykendall survived that knockdown but couldn't hold Lauzon off, and a heavy left hand sent him face first to the canvas. Kuykendall beat the count and got back to his feet, but referee Dan Miragliotta stepped in and waved the fight off 49 seconds into round two with Kuykendall clearly unable to defend himself.

Lauzon walked away with a 1-0 record in BKFC and left little doubt about the finish, scoring five knockdowns across barely more than a round and a half of action.

Is Joe Lauzon Fighting Again in BKFC?

Joe Lauzon left the door only slightly open for a second bare-knuckle appearance. Lauzon said after the win, "We always fight like it's a car crash. I felt like I hit him pretty good. I've got a swollen eye but that's the way it goes. If you come back to Fenway, we'll talk about it." That's a conditional answer, not a commitment, and it points to a fighter who treated this as a bucket-list moment rather than the start of a new career in the sport.

Fighting in his hometown ballpark clearly mattered to him. A longtime fan favorite from his UFC days, Lauzon had the crowd behind him, and the performance played like a veteran cashing in on one big occasion rather than opening a new chapter.

Betting Angle

Book Lauzon's Fenway Park walkoff as exactly that, a walkoff, not a launching pad for a bare-knuckle run bettors should start pricing in. His own comments tie any future appearance to BKFC returning to Boston specifically, which makes him a poor bet to show up on a regular BKFC card anywhere else. If BKFC does bring another show to Fenway Park down the line, expect Lauzon to draw serious action as a hometown favorite given how thoroughly he dominated in his debut.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who did Joe Lauzon fight in his BKFC debut?

Joe Lauzon fought Stash Kuykendall in his bare-knuckle boxing debut at Fenway Park in Boston, winning by stoppage in the second round.

How did Joe Lauzon win his bare-knuckle debut?

Joe Lauzon dropped Stash Kuykendall five times total and the fight was stopped by referee Dan Miragliotta 49 seconds into round two.

Will Joe Lauzon fight again in BKFC?

Joe Lauzon suggested he'd only consider another bare-knuckle fight if BKFC returns to Fenway Park, indicating this was likely a one-time appearance.