Lauzon returns as all-time bonus leader, suffers controversial loss

Lightweights Joe Lauzon and Jim Miller fought at UFC 155 on December 29, 2012, in a bloody, thrillung three round Fight of the Night, that many called the fight of the year. It took the UFC a while, but on Saturday night, they put the pair together again.

Lauzon said in a pre fight interview that he wanted to return to the #1 spot for performance bonuses in UFC history.

Ronda Rousey, Jon Jones, and Wanderlei Silva are tied at #12. Conor McGregor, Lyoto Machida, and Anthony Johnson are tied for #8. Anderson Silva and Cowboy Cerrone are tied for #3. After UFC 202, Nate Diaz had pulled ahead of Lauzon, with 15.

We’re going to get it back; it’s extra motivation, said Lauzon. We’re going to get it back and tie it up again this weekend.

Lauzon got that.

‘Jlau’ also said he didn’t want another 15 minute war.

If it’s up to me, it’s not that bloodbath where we’re both exhausted and like dying,” said Lauzon. “A nice quick one. Either way. Let him knock me out, I’ll knock him out – something.”

That wish did not get met. Lauzon fought the entire fight trying to end it, but it went to decision, which split in Miller favor.

The striking stats for the fight were virtually identical, with both Lauzon and Miller landing over 90 strikes. Joe Lauzon spent over six minutes in controlling positions; Miller spent just 16 seconds in controlling positions. Lauzon got three takedowns of four attempted, Miller got none. Lauzon went for a submission, Miller went for none. Lauzon passed guard ten times, Miller none.

MMADecisions is a tremendous resource, and tracks judge’s decisions, as well as those from the media. The media scores were as one sided as one might imagine after a fight was close in striking, with one fighter dominating the grappling.

25 media observers scored it for Lauzon, vs. two for Miller.

For Lauzon
Mookie Alexander BloodyElbow.com 28-29 Lauzon
Juan Macêdo bjjforum.com.br 28-29 Lauzon
MMAJunkie.com 28-29 Lauzon
Tristen Critchfield Sherdog.com 28-29 Lauzon
Brian Knapp Sherdog.com 28-29 Lauzon
Chris Nelson Sherdog.com 28-29 Lauzon
MMAMania.com 28-29 Lauzon Craig Amos
BleacherReport.com 28-29 Lauzon
Nick Strickland Sport24News 28-29 Lauzon
José Youngs TheMMACorner.com 28-29 Lauzon
Danny Segura MMAFighting.com 28-29 Lauzon
Matthew Wells mmalatestnews.com 28-29 Lauzon
Ryan Frederick WrestlingObserver.com 28-29 Lauzon
Rob Tatum CombatPress.com 28-29 Lauzon
Mike Dyce si.com/mma 28-29 Lauzon
Jim Edwards MMALatestNews.com 28-29 Lauzon
SevereMMA.com 28-29 Lauzon Jason Floyd
TheMMAReport.com 28-29 Lauzon
Steven Kelliher Tapology.com 28-30 Lauzon
CombatPress.com 27-30 Lauzon
Paul Fontaine WrestlingObserver.com 27-30 Lauzon
Dallas Winston BloodyElbow.com 27-30 Lauzon
Seán Sheehan SevereMMA.com 27-30 Lauzon
Tim Burke BloodyElbow.com 27-30 Lauzon

For Miller
MMABrasil.com.br 29-28 Miller
Jed Meshew MMAFighting.com 29-28 Miller

Unfortunately, journalists don’t count. Nor do fans, just 7.2% of whom voted for Miller.

Only judges count. Judge Dave Hagen had it 29-28 Lauzon, but David Therien had it 29-28 Miller, as did Tony Weeks.

Hagen saw it the way every normal person did, with Miller Edging out Lauzon in the first, and Lauzon returning the favor in the second two. Therien and Weeks didn’t agree with each other, with Therien giving Lauzon the second and Miller the third, and Weeks reversing that order.

Lauzon displayed his characteristic class.

I’m still a huge @JimMiller_155 fan. I thought I had it but I will never cry over judges. Congrats Jim. #UFCVancoucer @ufc

— Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) August 28, 2016

Always an honor. There aren't many fighters I'd guide my kids to have as role models, you're at the top of the list https://t.co/Xfv5v20WOX

— Jim Miller (@JimMiller_155) August 28, 2016

There is an obvious solution to the judging anomaly – a trilogy fight.