Joe Lauzon now faces Diego Sanchez at UFC 180 in Mexico

By Damon Martin
Published

Following an injury to Norman Parke that knocked him out of UFC 180 in Mexico, the UFC has called upon Joe Lauzon to step in and face Diego Sanchez on the upcoming card on Nov. 15.

UFC president Dana White made the announcement via Twitter on Friday.

Lauzon (24-9) accepts the fight just days after UFC bad boy Conor McGregor was all over Twitter saying that he was facing Sanchez in Mexico. McGregor requested the fight, but ultimately White turned him down, although he may be rewarded with a title shot instead.

As for Lauzon, he steps into the fight with Sanchez following a two fight win streak, including his most recent victory over Michael Chiesa where he earned 'Fight of the Night' honors for the sixth time in his UFC career.

The bonus made Lauzon the all-time leader for post fight awards in UFC history. Sanchez is no stranger to 'Fight of the Night' awards either -- he's won that bonus a total of seven times during his UFC fight career.

In other words, this fight is destined to be a barnburner.

UFC 180 will be the promotion's debut in Mexico with heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez headlining the card against Fabricio Werdum.