LAS VEGAS (AP) – Robbie Lawler defended his UFC welterweight belt with a bruising split-decision victory over Carlos Condit at UFC 195 on Saturday night. While he, like Lawler, couldn’t immediately recall numerous details about the decisive third round, Condit did believe he had won the fight when the final bell rang. Lawler is no longer the wild brawler we saw in the UFC a decade ago, but instead a marvelous boxer with bulletproof takedown defense.
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“The way these guys go out and perform, each time they go out there is what makes them fan favorites”, said Woodley, who was granted the title shot after would-be UFC 192 opponent Johny Hendricks had a weight cut that went awry and was pulled from their bout. Lawler and Condit established a lofty benchmark for the best fight of 2016 with their thrilling draining slugfest. Despite those numbers, Lawler still took the second and fifth rounds on every scorecard, with the third round somehow being a swing round in his favor despite having just one clear flurry land.
“[Lawler]’s our Evander Holyfield man, right?”
Through the fourth round, neither fighter was able to do a high amount of damage at first, but it was Condit who showed the more diverse set of strikes and activity, eventually rocking the champion.
“I punch hard, I kick hard, I’m fierce and I’m willing to get in there and battle”, Lawler continued. I’m willing to stand in someone’s face and exchange to get what I want done.
Carlos Condit for the UFC Welterweight Championship. “If I didn’t, like I didn’t, I have to see if I can continue to do this”, he said, hinting at thoughts of retirement at 31 years old.
The co main event will consist of two top five UFC heavyweights, Andrei Arlovski and Stipe Miocic, both jockeying for position for a shot at the victor of Fabricio Werdum and Cain Velasquez.
In this July 11, 2015, file photo, Robbie Lawler celebrates after defeating Rory MacDonald in their welterweight title fight mixed martial arts bout at UFC 189 in Las Vegas. “I’ll be extremely surprised if it wasn’t an awesome fight”. Because of this, I think the fight is going to come down to experience, intelligence, and toughness.
It was the wonderful fight that everyone was predicting, and a big part of that is thanks to Lawler and what he brings to the table.
The logical next move after a fight, and decision, like this would be a rematch. “We are two of the most skilled guys in the division, if not the sport, and I think we’re going to go in there and put on a display of violence and aggression that people won’t soon forget”.
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A few moments after they spontaneously leaned on the cage together, taking deep breaths and basking in cheers, they ended the night with their arms mutually raised in victory.
