The year 2016 has already seen seven title changes, with the most recent one in the welterweight division. Tyron Woodley ended Robbie Lawler’s year-and-a-half championship reign by ending the fight in the first round via knockout.
What was the high point of the fight?
Lawler was clearly fighting more cautious this time around, wary of Woodley’s knockout power on both hands. He was able to keep some distance and maintain control of the fight. But once Woodley got to the distance he was comfortable with, the fight was pretty much in the bag for him.
After throwing a fake left, Woodley then threw the right hand he had locked and loaded since the beginning of the fight, and landed flush on Lawler’s face. Lawler tried to get up after the fight was stopped, but was still on wobbly legs, and had developed an instant hematoma below his left eye.
Where do these two go from here?
Being the number one ranked fighter in the UFC’s welterweight division, it would only be fitting to have Stephen Thompson face Woodley, next. “Wonderboy” has been impressive in his last few fights, so far, but has yet to face someone with as much knockout power as Woodley has.
Lawler is definitely still top five material, but given the depth of talent within the welterweight division, it may take a while before he gets another crack at the title. He can take on the winner of the upcoming Demian Maia vs. Carlos Condit fight, or have a trilogy with Rory MacDonald.
Watch it now, later, or never?
This is a must-watch fight, mainly because it once again features the crowning of a new champion, and the beginning of a new era in the welterweight division.
WOODLEY!!!!! #UFC201 https://t.co/7Zao5AIp5S
— UFC (@ufc) July 31, 2016
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