UFC 171‘s main event is for the vacant UFC Welterweight Championship. No. 1-ranked Johny Hendricks and No. 3-ranked Robbie Lawler will throw down to see would walk away as the new king of the division on Saturday night.
Hendricks’ last trip to the cage saw him come up just short against Georges St-Pierre. When GSP walked away from the UFC, “Bigg Rigg” was first on the list to fight for the strap.
Lawler earned his title shot by returning to the UFC’s 170-pound division and scoring three straight wins. He knocked off Josh Koscheck, Bobby Voelker and Rory MacDonald.
Hendricks and Lawler battled in one of the most fun welterweight title fights in memory. They stood in the pocket and exchanged. It was an exceptional fight with back-and-forth action. In the end, Hendricks was able to do just enough in the final frame to lay claim to the UFC Welterweight Championship.
A fantastic fight between two elite welterweights. We could not have asked for more.