Joe Lauzon OK with scratching bonuses, so long as he winds up all-time leader

One of Joe Lauzon‘s best resume points is his tie at 12 with record-breaker Anderson Silva for fight-night bonuses in the UFC.

In his next fight, he even has a chance to take the lead when he meets Michael Johnson on the main card of UFC Fight Night 26, which takes place Aug. 17 in his backyard at Boston’s TD Garden.

“This is my opportunity, so I’m going to get a bonus, then petition to get it changed to the ‘Joe Lauzon bonus,’” the UFC lightweight joked in an interview with MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com).

It would be even better if the UFC then eliminated the $50,000 fight-night bonuses, so he could cement his place in the promotion’s history.

“I’ll tell (UFC President) Dana (White) I changed my stance on fighter pay, and that we need to do away with bonuses, so I could remain the all-time leader,” Lauzon said.

Lauzon (22-8 MMA, 9-5 UFC) meets Johnson (12-8 MMA, 4-4 UFC) on the FOX Sports 1-televised main card following prelims on Facebook.

Of course, the UFC isn’t getting rid of bonuses, despite recent controversy over the relative size of UFC fighters’ purses. In truth, that’s good news for Lauzon. You’d be hard pressed to find a better example of a fighter who’s benefitted more from the promotion’s incentive system.

Lauzon, who’s soon to become a father, has banked hundreds of thousands of dollars over seven years with the UFC. His time also has taken its toll. Earlier this year, he took a break from fighting to let substantial scar tissue on his face heal after a “Fight of the Year” bout with Jim Miller at UFC 155.

At UFC Fight Night 26, he’ll risk more damage when he meets Johnson, who’s best showings in the UFC have come when he used his striking. Thankfully, Lauzon said, there are also weaknesses to exploit.

“We’re worlds apart on the ground,” he said. “I think I have much better ground control, much better submissions, much better ground and pound. I think from his eyes, he wants to keep it standing. I would be shocked if he wanted to take me down. But if he does, I’m completely happy with that.

Lauzon clarified that he’s not sleeping on Johnson, who most recently was submitted by Reza Madadi at UFC on FUEL TV 8. But he might be a little bit looser and more willing to take risks than with other opponents.

“I think this is going to be one of those cases where I can just go for things,” he said. “When I fought Melvin (Guillard), he’s a great kickboxer, (and) he’s a pro at getting back up to his feet and fighting off submissions. He’s a guy I didn’t want to take as many chances against as we were prepping for him. But I don’t think that’s goin to be the case here. I won’t have to be super strict. If I see it, I’m pretty sure I can make it happen.”

By it, he means an arm, leg, ankle, or exposed neck. Submissions are what’s brought him the most extra cash in the UFC.

And if he can’t convince White to close the books on bonuses, he’ll keep on in his quest to set and keep the record as the promotion’s most-bonused fighter.

For the latest on UFC Fight Night 26, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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