Any time there is a UFC title on the line, serious business is sure to follow. Furthermore, when two divisional straps go up for grabs on the same card, a powerful front of chaos is likely to roll through. There were two championship bouts topping the lineup at UFC 181 on Saturday night, and both were of the highly anticipated variety.
The main event showcased a title tilt in the 170-pound ranks as champion Johny Hendricks and resurgent contender Robbie Lawler stepped in for their rematch. Their initial go-round at UFC 171 back in March was a five-round war for the ages, as Bigg Rigg edged out the veteran powerhouse to claim the vacant welterweight title via split decision on the judges' scorecards.
While Hendricks spent the next eight months rehabilitating a torn bicep suffered in his first bout with Lawler, Ruthless would jump back into the fray looking for another title shot. He dispatched fellow slugger Jake Ellenberger via knockout at UFC 173 in May and then outlasted "The Immortal" Matt Brown in a 25-minute free-for-all two months later in San Jose. With back-to-back victories—and the fashion in which he claimed them—the American Top Team product earned another shot at Hendricks and championship gold at UFC 181.
That said, the former two-time NCAA Division I national champion wrestler would not only be making his long-awaited return to action on Saturday night, but the rematch with Lawler would also represent his first attempt at defending the welterweight title. Hendricks wants to have a long reign over the 170-pound fold, and a victory over the resilient knockout artist would be the perfect way to kick things off.
With their first tussle bringing the proverbial noise in every measurable sense, their rematch at UFC 181 had big shoes to fill. And things started out that way.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2291645-ufc-181-the-good-bad-and-strange-from-las-vegas
No comments:
Post a Comment