The first time they stepped into the Octagon together, they waged the fight of the year. What does the encore hold?
We’ll find out Saturday at UFC 181, when Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler lock horns for the second time in 2014. As with the original, Hendricks’ UFC welterweight title is on the line.
Hendricks took a close decision after the two unleashed hell in a broom closet for five rounds back in March. Hendricks has been on the shelf ever since, thanks to a torn biceps. Lawler has stayed a little busier, taking out Jake Ellenberger and then Matt Brown en route to his rematch.
With Georges St-Pierre still in self-imposed exile, this second go-round will, barring a draw or the return of Fan Man, establish one of two things: that Hendricks is the clear top welterweight among active fighters or a massive rubber match for 2015.
But the fun doesn’t stop there, and neither does this end-of-year gold rush. The lightweight strap is up for grabs in the co-headliner, which pits amazing-if-fragile champion Anthony Pettis against Gilbert Melendez, the longtime Strikeforce titleholder and Pettis‘ opposing coach on the current season of The Ultimate Fighter.
There is intrigue to be found up and down the 11-fight slate, from the prospect-loaded Fight Pass prelims to the gold-plated main events. Here are information capsules, predictions and viewing coordinates for each and every fight at UFC 181.