Lauzon replaces Parke, meets Sanchez at UFC 180

Joe Lauzon has replaced the injured Norman Parke, and will now meet Diego Sanchez at November’s UFC 180 event in Mexico City.

UFC officials confirmed the news earlier today.

Joe Lauzon (24-9 MMA, 11-6 UFC) was most recently seen in action at last month’s UFC Fight Night 50 event in Connecticut, where he scored a second-round TKO victory over TUF 15 winner Michael Chiesa. That victory made it 2 in a row for “J-Lau,” as he had previously scored a decision win over Mac Danzig at last December’s UFC on FOX 9 event.

Meanwhile, Diego Sanchez (25-7 MMA, 14-7 UFC) recently snapped a 2-fight losing skid by earning a highly controversial judges decision victory over Ross Pearson at June’s UFC Fight Night event in Albuquerque. Prior to that, the 32-year-old had suffered back-to-back decision losses to Gilbert Melendez and Myles Jury.

UFC 180 takes place November 15 live from Arena Mexico in Mexico City. The pay-per-view event is headlined by a heavyweight title fight featuring champion Cain Velasquez taking on #1 contender Fabricio Werdum.

Who do you have winning this battle of lightweight veterans? Sound off Penn Nation!