Joe Lauzon Injured, UFC on ESPN 37 Bout vs. Donald Cerrone Canceled

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For the second time in as many months, a lightweight scrap between Joe Lauzon and Donald Cerrone has been canceled on the day they were scheduled to fight.

The promotion announced on Saturday that Lauzon was removed from the UFC on ESPN 37 bout due to a “non-weight related medical issue.” Last month, Cerrone became ill on the day of their proposed UFC 274 clash and the fight was nixed. Lauzon revealed in a video on Instagram that a last-minute knee issue forced him off the card.

“So I’m not fighting Cowboy Cerrone tonight,” Lauzon said. “The freakiest weirdest thing ever: I weigh-in officially, I got sit down, and I got to put my socks on, I turn my knee out, and my knee locks out.

“I’ve dealt with meniscus injuries on both knees, but this knee in particular, had it cleaned out a bunch of times, but when it does lock up, I can usually straighten out, it unlocks, totally fine, 100 percent, immediately. This time, I’m now surrounded by all the fighters, commission, Cowboy’s in the room, I’m trying not to make a scene and let people know there’s not a problem with my knee. Eventually, I end up hopping on one of my cornerman’s back, acted like I was choking him like we were joking, but I couldn’t stand. I couldn’t walk at all.”

Lauzon was absent from Friday’s ceremonial weigh-ins due to what was initially reported as cramps. The Bridgewater, Mass., native confirmed that statement was just to cover for him in the hopes that he would be able to compete.

“The reason I didn’t go to weigh-ins yesterday was not because of cramps, that was kind of the story because they don’t want to sell me out,” Lauzon said. “I literally can’t put any weight on my left leg. Like, none. We tried doing an injection, tried to help it out to num it a little bit to move and manipulate it a little bit better, that didn’t help. Literally, I can’t stand.

“This is heartbreaking because we’ve done a six-month camp. First, Cowboy can’t fight, now I can’t fight. Just absolutely horrible. Weighed in, totally fine, ready to go, and my knee locks up putting on socks. My brain can’t even process it.

“Now I’m just more concerned about how I’m going to be able to walk. How am I going to be able to put some weight on my knee? It’s not even a question of trying to be able to fight, but trying to be able to function.”

UFC on ESPN 37 will move forward with 13 bouts. The card takes place at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas and is headlined by a featherweight showdown between Josh Emmett and Calvin Kattar. A welterweight tilt pitting Kevin Holland against Tim Means has been elevated to the evening’s co-main event.