Joe Lauzon Returns at UFC Boston Against Debuting Jonathan Pearce

View this post on Instagram

It’s official! @joelauzon fighting October 18th at #UFCBoston Lets go! #TeamLauzon

A post shared by Lauzon MMA (@lauzonmma) on Sep 6, 2019 at 6:29am PDT

Joe Lauzon is back in Boston, where he will be returning from an 18-month layoff in front of home fans.

First reported by Marcel Dorff late Thursday, Lauzon posted on his social media of the fight announcement on Friday. Lauzon (27-15) has not competed since UFC 223 in April 2018, and he will be trying to snap a three-fight losing streak when he takes on Ultimate Fighting Championship newcomer Jonathan Pearce (9-3). The two will scrap at UFC on ESPN 6 at the TD Garden in Boston, which will take place on Oct. 18.

The 35-year-old Lauzon is currently on the longest skid of his career, where he was most recently stopped between rounds by his corner against Chris Gruetzemacher. Before that, "J-Lau" suffered a knockout loss at the hands of Clay Guida and dropped a decision to Steven Ray. His last victory came over Marcin Held at UFC Fight Night 103 in January 2017.

Pearce will be making his Octagon debut in front of a partisan crowd, where the Tennessee native will be stepping into hostile territory. "JSP" earned a contract after finishing Jacob Rosales on Season 3, Episode 3 of Dana White's Contender Series. The 27-year-old is currently riding a five-fight finish streak, including each of his last four by knockout or technical knockout.

UFC on ESPN 6 takes place on Oct. 18, and is headlined by a light heavyweight bout between Dominick Reyes vs. Chris Weidman.