The UFC welterweight title will be on the line Saturday in Atlanta when the champion Ruthless Robbie Lawler defends his belt against The Chosen One Tyron Woodley.
Both men represent American Top Team, though Lawler trains in the epicenter of the gym in Coconut Creek, Florida, while Woodley moves around more during training.
Because of the different locations for training, Lawler has stated he doesn’t consider Woodley a teammate. The Chosen One’s view is a little different, per Sherdog’s Tristen Critchfield:
His thoughts on what a teammate is, it’s what he said: A lot of training side by side and getting guys ready.
But my idea of a person who’s affiliated with the American Top Team, I feel like I encompass all those things. I started out as an amateur with American Top Team. I was a coach for four of the top five or so of the American Top Teams.
His concept is that you should be there, down there, live there, train there and he’s allowed his own opinion of it, and no, I did not take it personal.
However you look at it, they won’t be teammates on Saturday. This short highlight promo tweeted by UFC President Dana White shows off both men’s power:
Here’s a look at the odds and ticket info for the event.
Odds: Lawler (-210), per Odds Shark
Tickets: ScoreBig
Full Card: UFC.com
Weigh-In: Friday, July 29
Other Notable Bouts
The card is not as stacked as most of the UFC’s pay-per-view events. It was originally supposed to feature UFC flyweight champion and pound-for-pound kingpin Demetrious Johnson against Wilson Reis.
An injury to Johnson forced him out and weakened the card. Reis is set to face newcomer Hector Sandoval, but that bout is now a part of the prelims rather than the co-main event.
The new co-main event will see 115-pound contender Rose Namajunas face Karolina Kowalkiewicz.
The winner could be next in line for UFC strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Namajunas has established a following with her distinct look, toughness and excellent ground game.
Kowalkiewicz will present an interesting challenge with her muay thai background, though.
If you’re looking for a sleeper bout, keep an eye out for Jorge Masvidal vs. Ross Pearson. These two guys are among the toughest outs in the UFC’s lightweight division.
They are both tough and skilled, but rarely come out on the winning side against other elite opponents. Against each other, it looks almost like a toss-up affair.
This could be Fight of the Night.
Woodley Will Upset Lawler
With good reason, Lawler is favored to successfully defend his welterweight title, but recent UFC action has been packed with upsets, and the next main event will be no different.
Lawler is as rugged and determined as they come, but Woodley is a bad matchup for him.
The Chosen One will be the first opponent Lawler has faced who is faster and more explosive. Woodley also has a high fight IQ.
He knows Lawler has an excellent chin and stand-up skills. He’s also aware the champion is tough to take down.
Look for Woodley to use his movement to outstrike Lawler. In the end, he’ll win a decision based on more effective striking and a few key takedowns.
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