Fight Blog Recap: Robbie Lawler pulls off split decision win to beat Johny Hendricks
LAS VEGAS - It took Robbie Lawler 13 years and 36 fights, but he can now call himself UFC champion after beating Johny Hendricks by split decision in the main event of UFC 181 on Saturday night in Las Vegas.
The first fight between Lawler and Hendricks was a war of attrition as each man got the upper hand on the other at different points in the fight until the fifth round likely decided everything. While the rematch wasn't quite as exhilarating, the result remained the same.
It was a fifth round flurry from Lawler where he punished Hendricks with strikes before nearly finishing him just before the bell that likely secured him the win via split decision.
Lawler now celebrates as he claims his first UFC title after a veteran career spanning more than a decade.
Anthony Pettis made the most of his first title defense dispatching of fellow Ultimate Fighter coach Gilbert Melendez with a second round guillotine choke finish.
Melendez came out hard in the first round and worked Pettis to the mat and made it seem like it could end up as a five round war. Pettis had no intention of going 25-minutes after stunning Melendez with a short punch in the second round and snatching a guillotine choke submission.
Pettis tapped out Melendez while also becoming the first fighter in history to finish the former Strikeforce champion.
In other action, Travis Browne made short work of Brendan Schaub with a first round TKO finish while Todd Duffee needed only 33 seconds to put away Anthony Hamilton.
Full live blog play-by-play and results below:
Robbie Lawler out to "Hold On I'm Coming" by Sam & Dave. Johny Hendricks to "$50 and a Flask of Crown" by Bleu Edmondson
Round 1:
Lawler comes firing out of the gate just blasting away at Hendricks with knees to the body and some good hooks to the head. Hendricks recovers and presses Lawler against the cage looking for a takedown. Lawler showing excellent takedown defense, popping Hendricks with short shots whenever he gets an opening. Lawler relentless with knees to the body while defending the takedowns. Hendricks fires a good combination and nails Lawler with a few punches before picking him up and putting him on the mat for his first takedown of the fight.
10-9 Robbie Lawler
Round 2:
Hendricks opening up with leg kicks this round, just eating up Lawler's lead leg. Hendricks then goes upstairs and starts popping Lawler in the face before backing him against the cage looking for a takedown. Hendricks gets Lawler on the ground with just over two minutes to go in the round. Lawler gets up and unloads a big front kick to Hendricks' face. Lawler looks for a couple of body kicks before the end of the round
10-9 Johny Hendricks
Round 3:
Hendricks working beautiful combinations with a left and a right followed by a heavy leg kick. He hits it several times in the first two minutes of the round. Lawler not offering any kind of counter offense as Hendricks just pounds away at him with strikes. Hendricks swoops in for another takedown -- third so far of this fight according to FightTrax. Lawler works back up again, but he's still stuck against the cage with Hendricks putting pressure. Hendricks gets another takedown before the round ends
10-9 Johny Hendricks
Round 4:
Hendricks coming over the top for strikes and then pressing forward for another takedown. Stall in the action and referee Herb Dean separates them. Hendricks has landed over 100 strikes so far according to FightTrax. Lawler finally firing back, but still struggling to stop Hendricks' offense. Hendricks slips under and gets another takedown. Lawler firing elbos underneath but he's still stuck
10-9 Johny Hendricks
Round 5:
Hendricks continues with a wrestling heavy attack this round, pressing forward and pushing Lawler against the cage. Herb Dean separates them again. A bit of striking in the center, but Hendricks grabs for Lawler's legs again looking for the takedown. Lawler stuck but he's just hammer fisting away at Hendricks' head trying anything to get loose. The crowd is booing now in disapproval at Hendricks' decision to wrestle a lot this time around. Lawler gets up and he starts unloading on Hendricks. Lawler has him hurt! Hendricks survives just barely
10-9 Robbie Lawler
FOX Sports scores the fight 48-47 Johny Hendricks
Official result: Robbie Lawler def. Johny Hendricks(48-47, 47-48, 49-46)
Gilbert Melendez out to "Silly Puddy" by Zion I, The Grouch. Anthony Pettis to "Show Time" by Tum Tum
Round 1:
Melendez constant pressure early, landing two takedowns against the cage. He's not giving Pettis any room to breathe so far. Pettis finally gets free and he tags Melendez with a quick punch that backs him off. Melendez doesn't back down and he's back against the cage. Great first round for Melendez but Pettis still dangerous
10-9 Gilbert Melendez
Round 2:
Melendez still pushing the pace but he catches a short right hand from Pettis as he's rushing in for the takedown. Pettis with a beautifully front kick right to the mush. Pettis grabs a guillotine choke out of nowhere and drops to his guard. Melendez rolls and he's locked up. Melendez taps! First time Melendez has ever been finished. Huge win for Anthony Pettis
Official result: Anthony Pettis def. Gilbert Melendez by submission (guillotine choke) at 1:53, R2
Analysis: Incredible finish for Anthony Pettis. He's the first person to ever finish Gilbert Melendez and that's a huge accomplishment. Pettis was in for a fight because Melendez gave him everything he could handle in the opening round, but the champion was still too much. It's good to have Pettis back -- he's a legit star in the making and now he's got his first title defense under his belt. It seems like a fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov would be a lot of fun and a serious test considering the wrestling credentials the Russian brings to the table.
Brendan Schaub out to "Victory" by Notorious BIG and Puff Daddy. Travis Browne to "Kamate Kamate" by Aotearoa Maori Singers
Round 1:
Schaub is able to snag an early takedown, which clearly surprised Browne but he gets up again without much trouble. Browne nails Schaub with a big uppercut and gets the fight to the ground. Browne moves to mount and just starts to unload on Schaub. Browne gets Schaub to roll over and he just continues to unload the punishment until the referee stops the fight. Schaub seems a little upset, but he wasn't doing anything except eating shots while stuck under Browne on the mat.
Official result: Travis Browne def. Brendan Schaub by TKO (strikes) at 4:50, R1
Analysis: Good return for Travis Browne after a tough loss in his last fight, although admittedly he looked a little slower than usual but that could have something to do with a long layoff and recovery from injury. On paper, Browne should have one this fight in the first round so he did exactly what he was meant to do. Now it's time for Browne to move back up the rankings and get another top 10 opponent. Perhaps he draws Andrei Arlovski once he's back from injury or maybe Junior dos Santos if he's successful in his fight next weekend against Stipe Miocic.
Anthony Hamilton out to "In My Mind" by Ivan Gough. Todd Duffee to "Pumpin Blood" by NoNoNo
Round 1:
Hamilton is reaching for takedowns and that's not going to be good for him. Seconds later, Duffee unloads a quick left and a huge right and he puts Hamilton down and out! Hamilton just goes out completely. Another big knockout win for Todd Duffee.
Official result: Todd Duffee def. Anthony Hamilton by knockout at :33 seconds, R1
Analysis: Todd Duffee remains one of the best power punchers in the heavyweight division. Health seems to be the only thing holding him back from making a real push in the UFC heavyweight division. It would be fun to see him tested against someone like Aleksey Olyinyk, who just had a big knockout of his own a couple of weeks ago against Jared Rosholt.
Abel Trujillo out to "Lifestyle" by Rich Gang, Young Thug. Tony Ferguson to "The Party Has Begun" by Freestyle
Round 1:
Trujillo is just dropping hammers on Ferguson in the opening round. He drops Ferguson early and then just continues to plow forward with big, hard punches. To his credit, Ferguson recovers well and comes back late in the round and he starts to put together some offense to back Trujillo off. Trujillo up 27-12 in strikes according to FightTrax, but he's slowing down as the round comes to an end
10-9 Abel Trujillo
Round 2:
Trujillo is slowing down and struggling to stave off Ferguson's attacks this round. Ferguson fights off a takedown and transitions to a D'Arce choke, but lets go of that and instead works for a kimura. Trujillo gets out, but they are back up to the feet. Ferguson snaps a front headlock and takes the fight down again. Ferguson methodically works for the back and sinks his forearm under Trujillo's chin. He's got nowhere to go -- Trujillo taps! Fight over!
Official result: Tony Ferguson def. Abel Trujillo by submission (rear naked choke) at 4:19, R2
Analysis: Great finish for Tony Ferguson after weathering a strong start from Abel Trujillo. Ferguson persevered a big attack from Trujillo early, but just waited for him to wear himself out with punches. Ferguson absolutely took over from there and finished with the submission. Ferguson has looked better than ever lately and it's time for him to get a crack at a top 15 fighter, maybe Jorge Masvidal when he's back from injury.
Francisco Rivera out to "Who Am I?" by Snoop Dogg. Urijah Faber to "California Love" by Tupac and Dr. Dre
Round 1:
Faber pressing the action early as Rivera backs up and tries to find his range. About midway through the round, Rivera starts to connect with a series of leg kicks and finds the opening for his punches as well. He's tagging Faber with some hard shots including a couple to the body. Rivera started slow but he steals the round
10-9 Francisco Rivera
Round 2:
Faber tags Rivera with a flurry and he's hurt. Faber just relentless with his attack until he pins him against the cage. Faber grabs onto Rivera's neck from the side and slightly behind his back and starts to torque away. The pressure is too much and Rivera taps! Great finish although it looks like the start to the finish came from an accidental eye poke and not a punch.
Official result: Urijah Faber def. Francisco Rivera by submission (neck crank) at 1:34, R2
Analysis: Unfortunate ending to what was shaping up to be a very good fight. Rivera looked great early and didn't show any fear facing one of the best lighter weight fighters of all time. The replay showed clearly that Faber's index finger went right into Rivera's eye and that's what hurt him, not a punch. Not anyone's fault, but tough that the referee didn't see it. Then again the ending happened so quickly there was hardly any room for error.
Josh Samman out to "Take Me to Church" by Hozier. Eddie Gordon to "Stop Being Greedy" by DMX
Round 1:
Both fighters come out throwing heavy as soon as the fight starts, but Gordon grabs a good takedown and puts Samman on his back. Referee Herb Dean stands them up, but it takes no time for Gordon to plant Samman back on the mat again. Samman is just struggling to deal with Gordon's takedowns and ground control
10-9 Eddie Gordon
Round 2:
Gordon with a big right hand and then transitions back to the mat. Gordon just grinding Samman on the mat. Dominant control but not much action. Joe Rogan calls it like he sees it and says this is boring. Fair enough. Out of nowhere Josh Samman uncorks a switch kick and Gordon is out! Wow!
Official result: Josh Samman def. Eddie Gordon by knockout (head kick) at 3:08, R2
Analysis: Seems like Josh Samman will be going home with a bonus when this night is over because that was a one-kick, walk off knockout like you wouldn't believe. Samman was struggling to get off his back and keep Gordon at bay, but all it took was one kick and he changed everything. Samman has gone through a lot of personal tragedy in the last year and there might not be a more emotional victory in 2014 that what he accomplished on Saturday night.
Round 1:
Anderson putting some nice combinations together, but Jones counters with some good hooks. Anderson grabs a takedown, but Jones counters with a guillotine to get free. Back on the feet, Anderson puts another good combination together and slips another takedown. Competitive round
10-9 Corey Anderson
Round 2:
Anderson with a good takedown again to open round 2 and then grabs the clinch back on the feet and starts to unload knees on Jones. Jones comes back midway through the round and nails Anderson with a series of heavy leg kicks. Anderson counters with a takedown before the end of the round.
10-9 Corey Anderson
Round 3:
Anderson picks up Jones and walks him across the cage Matt Hughes' style and puts him down on the mat. Almost seven minutes in control for Anderson according to FightTrax. Anderson has Jones trapped against the cage and goes for a nice spinning back elbow looking similar to the champ Jon Jones. Anderson with another takedown -- seven of them for the fight -- and that should just about do it
10-9 Corey Anderson
FOX Sports scores the fight 30-27 for Corey Anderson
Official result: Corey Anderson def. Justin Jones by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Analysis: Good win for Corey Anderson to start his UFC career but also credit to Justin Jones for taking this fight on extremely short notice and moving up from his natural weight at 185-pounds. Anderson is a very good prospect at 205-pounds, but needs time to develop so hopefully he's afforded that and not rushed along too much for his next fight. Unfortunately, light heavyweight in the UFC is a paper thin division outside of the top five or six fighters in the world.
Ashlee Evans-Smith out to "Take Back the Power" by The Interrupters. Raquel Pennington to "Can't Hold Us" by Macklemore
Round 1:
Evans-Smith with a good takedown to open things up while she works for ground and pound from inside Pennington's guard. The fighters work back up and Evans-Smith connects with a hard knee that opens up a cut over Pennington's eye. Over three minutes in control for Evans-Smith in the first round according to FightTrax. Pennington grabs a bulldog choke and pulls forward, dropping to the mat and it's tight. Evans-Smith is struggling and she goes out on the mat as the round ends. The referee waives it off because Evans-Smith is unconscious! Crazy finish!
Official result: Raquel Pennington def. Ashlee Evans-Smith by submission (bulldog choke) at 4:59, R1
Analysis: One of the craziest finishes in recent memory as Pennington grabbed the rare bulldog choke and literally put Evans-Smith to sleep. She was getting roughed up early, but kudos to Pennington for coming back late and getting the win. It would be nice for Pennington to still get a fight with Holly Holm, who she was originally supposed to face on tonight's card.
Matt Hobar out to "Bulls on Parade" by Rage Against the Machine. Sergio Pettis to "Great Expectations" by Diggy Simmons
Round 1:
Hobar drops Pettis early with a big shot, but when Pettis gets back to the feet he counters with two straight punches that rattle Hobar. In return, Hobar gets the fight to the ground, but doesn't do much offensively and instead eats a couple of up kicks and fights off a triangle/armbar combination. Pettis tries a takedown late in the round, but Hobar reverses until the horn sounds.
10-9 Sergio Pettis
Round 2:
Pettis nails Hobar with a pair of head kicks and then starts connecting with a series of punches. Hobar is hurt and wobbled, but Pettis decides to take the fight to the mat and gets stuck in guard. Pettis up 47-13 in head strikes to this point in the fight according to FightTrax but Hobar able to counter with a nice takedown with just over a minute to go. Pettis with another up kick from the bottom. Dominant round for Pettis
10-9 Sergio Pettis
Round 3:
Pettis using good footwork and head movement defensively while picking and choosing his shots against Hobar. Pettis is in and out before Hobar can find him with his strikes. Pettis with a lightning quick jab that just snaps Hobar's head back. Good all around performance from Pettis
10-9 Sergio Pettis
FOX Sports scores the fight 30-27 for Sergio Pettis
Official result: Sergio Pettis def. Matt Hobar by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Analysis: Pettis got caught early by a big shot, but then adjusted, recovered and took over the rest of the fight. Very technical with his striking attacks, hurt Hobar several times in the second and third rounds. If there's a knock on Pettis it's the fact that he's fighting at bantamweight when he should probably be a flyweight. He's stated before it's too much weigh to cut, but he was giving up size and power to Hobar and just couldn't put him away despite out landing him in a lopsided manner.
Clay Collard out to "Cool Kids" by Echosmith. Alex White to "Your Sword vs. My Dagger" by Silverstein
Round 1:
Collard very active with his striking in the first round, mixing combinations and a volume of punches and kicks. White countered with more power shots, using very precise punches to tag Collard when he gets aggressive. Close round, but Collard likely wins it based on volume and pushing the pace
10-9 Clay Collard
Round 2:
Collard nails White with a big left and knocks him to the mat where he started to flurry looking for the finish. White reverses on the ground and as the fighters start to get up he throws a knee that catches Collard flush, but his hand was down making it an illegal strike although the referee doesn't pause the fight. Collard comes back at the end of the round with a triangle choke and nearly finishes before White slips out.
10-9 Clay Collard
Round 3:
White showing good fire in this round trying to do everything he can to get the finish knowing he's probably down two rounds. White busts up Collard on the ground after looking for a triangle choke. Whie grabs a takedown just before the round ends
10-9 Alex White
FOX Sports scores the fight 29-28 for Clay Gollard
Official result: Clay Collard def. Alex White by unanimous decision (29-28 on all cards)
Analysis: Fun fight for both competitors -- Collard started strong, White came on late but it seemed like he didn't wake up until the final round. Great way to kick off the show, both of these fighters should continue to have a future inside the Octagon with performances like that.
UFC 181: HENDRICKS VS. LAWLER 2 MAIN CARD
Johny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler
Anthony Pettis vs. Gilbert Melendez
Travis Browne vs. Brendan Schaub
Todd Duffee vs. Anthony Hamilton
Tony Ferguson vs. Abel Trujillo
UFC 181 PRELIMS:
Urijah Faber vs. Francisco Rivera
Eddie Gordon vs. Josh Samman
Corey Anderson vs. Justin Jones
Raquel Pennington vs. Ashlee Evans-Smith
UFC 181 EARLY PRELIMS:
Sergio Pettis vs. Matt Hobar
Alex White vs. Clay Collard
