UFC 181 Results: New Champion! Lawler Dethrones Hendricks with Decision Win!

We have a new UFC Welterweight Champion and his name is Robbie Lawler!

Hendricks spent the majority of the first and second rounds working the body and legs of Lawler. Lawler shrugged off four of Hendricks’ takedown attempts before getting taken down, but the damage was already done to his gas tank. By the time the second round commenced, Lawler’s mouth was hanging open. Hendricks also landed a serious amount of leg kicks that dug into the thigh of Lawler. While it damaged his leg and ability to defend takedowns, he still had enough wherewithal to stand and strike with the defending champion.

Despite absorbing more than twenty brutal leg kicks in the first two rounds, Lawler still took to the center of the octagon and tried to outstrike Hendricks.

Every single time Lawler seemed to be gaining momentum after landing shots, Hendricks would go back to his bread-and-butter by turning it into a grappling match.

Walking into the final round, Hendricks was told he needed to stay busy or keep the fight along the fence because it was a close fight. Hendricks spent the majority of the fifth round pinning Lawler up against the fence, forcing him to fight off the champion’s takedown attempts.

With a minute remaining, Lawler elbowed Hendricks’ body multiple times which almost led to a stoppage in favor of the challenger. Hendricks stood back up and backed away from Lawler, but Lawler chased him and landed repeated body shots. Hendricks was saved by the bell and we were led to another judges’ decision.

The last minute rally from Robbie Lawler gave him enough pull in the eyes of the judges to give him the final round and two judges scored the entire fight in favor of Lawler!

Do you want to see a rematch?

Robbie Lawler def. Johny Hendricks by way of Split Decision (48-47, 47-48, 49-46)