Phil Lauzon (3-1) is poised to hoist the gold for the first time in his career as he locks horns with Mike Brackett (2-0) for the unfilled BFL amateur 175-pound title at BFL 64 this Saturday in Coquitlam, B.C.
True to form, Lauzon intends to enter the cage carrying the same all-or-nothing mindset that has propelled him to this point.
“I can tell you right now it won’t go to the scorecards. Someone is walking out with a finish,” Lauzon stated during a recent interview.
“I’ve never seen a fight go to the judges’ decision in MMA and I’ve only had a handful of decisions in Muay Thai. It’s either me putting someone away or them putting me away.”
Growing up in a small community wasn’t easy for Lauzon when it came to pursuing martial arts training.
He spent his early years dabbling in various athletic pursuits, and it was ultimately his father who nudged him toward a path in combat sports.
“Wrestling and athletics were big for me as a kid, but MMA wasn’t really around when I was growing up in Red Lake, Ont.,” Lauzon recalled.
“As I got older, my dad and I would drive three hours each way just to hit the gym together. Those were some serious late nights; it took real dedication for sure. I relocated to Kenora, Ont. about four or five years ago now, which has made things a lot easier.”
The Grind Behind the Wins
Lauzon’s passion for MMA has deepened as he’s matured, yet that hasn’t translated into blind admiration for every corner of the sport.
“Cutting weight is hands down the most brutal part,” Lauzon admitted.
“Fortunately, I’m not dealing with that much right now. It does feel awful getting thrown at the gym when you’re already exhausted, facing a fresh opponent every round. But that’s exactly where real progress happens.”
One of the toughest challenges in MMA is bridging the gap between what you drill in the gym and what actually lands inside the cage.
Maintaining composure and staying level-headed—just like during camp—is where Lauzon believes he’s improved most since his debut.
“Every single day at the gym I used to get absolutely destroyed,” Lauzon shared.
“Over the years, you begin noticing genuine improvement. You start landing strikes on fighters who once dominated you, you’re tapping out less often, and you stop flinching. You become progressively calmer the moment you step into the cage.”
A Steady Mindset
According to Lauzon, his greatest assets are staying composed, preparing for every scenario, and refusing to let emotions spiral. When Saturday’s title bout arrives, expect him to be selective with his shots as he pursues his fourth consecutive finish.
Brackett brings experience at 175 pounds, but the 20-year-old Lauzon isn’t sweating it.
“I know he’s a big, powerful guy, but I’ve always been the smallest person in the room. I’m the youngest fighter at the gym right now, so I’m accustomed to sparring with larger, stronger athletes. It doesn’t bother me in the least,” Lauzon explained.
“In my last outing I didn’t cut any weight, and my opponent had been carrying 185 pounds before stepping into the cage, so I’m no stranger to it. I typically compete at 155 pounds, so this one requires minimal cutting.”
The Saturday matchup represents a chance for Lauzon to claim his first championship and inch closer to the bright lights—a dream every fighter chases.
“I’d love to grab the belt and defend it several times before turning professional. Anyone can jump into the pros whenever they want, but once you do, the game changes completely. I want to walk in with absolute confidence before making that call,” Lauzon said.
“There are still areas I want to sharpen before I take that leap. I know folks who rushed in too early, but I believe I’m building on the right foundation and, sooner or later, I’ll arrive there.”
Shoutouts
“Everyone at United Fighter Martial Arts Academy, and a massive thank you to my parents.” Keep tabs on Lauzon online: FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM
