Robbie Lawler vs. Josh Koscheck targeted for UFC 157 | UFC News

Robbie Lawler will return to the UFC octagon for the first time in more than eight years when he meets former #1 contender Josh Koscheck this February.

The bout with Josh Koscheck (17-6 MMA, 15-6 UFC) will serve as Robbie Lawler’s (19-9 MMA, 4-3 UFC) return to the 170 pound division.

Lawler left the UFC following a submission loss to Evan Tanner at UFC 50. While under the Strikeforce banner, Lawler’s run was up and down. He went 3-5 in the promotion, dropping fights to Jake Shields, Renato “Babalu” Sobral, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, Tim Kennedy and Lorenz Larkin. His three wins were brutal first-round knockouts of Melvin Manhoef, Matt Lindland and Adlan Amagov.

Josh Koscheck last saw action at the UFC on FOX: Diaz vs. Miller event in May, where he lost a split-decision to Johny “Big Rigg” Hendricks. Prior to the loss, Koscheck had reeled off two straight victories over Matt Hughes at UFC 135 and Mike Pierce at UFC 143.

UFC 157 is set to take place February 23rd at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

The latest UFC 157 card now includes:

• Ronda Rousey vs. Liz Carmouche – Women’s bantamweight title fight
• Dan Henderson vs. Lyoto Machida
• Urijah Faber vs. Ivan Menjivar
• Lavar Johnson vs. Brendan Schaub
• Josh Koscheck vs. Robbie Lawler
• Court McGee vs. Josh Neer
• Mike Chiesa vs. Anton Kuivanen