The historic UFC 157 fight card, headlined by the first ever women’s bout in the promotion, is beginning to take shape with Josh Koscheck set to face Robbie Lawler at the Feb. 23, 2013 event.
The two welterweights are both coming off losses, and the fight is probably a disappointment for Kos, who had his eyes on the likes of Carlos Condit, BJ Penn and Rory MacDonald over the past year.
Instead, the UFC has lined up Lawler, according to MMA Junkie, a man who’s coming into the UFC following a chequered 3-5 record in Strikeforce.
Lawler’s had plenty of experience in the UFC. As a youngster he fought for the organisation between 2002 and 2004, and was eventually cut following back-to-back losses to Nick Diaz and Evan Tanner.
Before joining Strikeforce, Lawler managed to win titles in several lesser promotions, including EliteXC as a middleweight, and was notable for knocking out the dangerous striker Melvin Manhoef in 2010.
Still, this is not the fight Kos wanted. The 35-year-old has struggled to re-establish himself as a UFC welterweight contender following his championship fight loss to Georges St-Pierre at UFC 124 (his second career loss to the incumbent 170 pound kingpin), and, despite commanding wins over Matt Hughes and Mike Pierce, he suffered a setback after losing a close split decision to Johny Hendricks in May.
Hendricks is now widely considered the number-one contender. More recently, Kos was meant to face top welterweight Jake Ellenberger in September, but was sidelined due to an injury.
As things have shaken up in the UFC during his seven-month absence, Hendricks is now taking on Ellenberger in Montreal in March 2013, on the same card that will feature rising welterweight MacDonald against Condit and a title fight between GSP and Nick Diaz.
That has left Kos out in the cold somewhat, and he is now slated to be Lawlor’s first UFC opponent in almost nine years.
UFC 157 will be headlined by a women’s bantamweight title fight between champion Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche. The action will take place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, and will also feature light heavyweight Dan Henderson taking on Lyoto Machida for the 205-pound contender’s spot.
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