When he left the UFC in 2004, Robbie Lawler didn’t seem like a fighter who would one day be wearing a UFC belt around his waist. A decade later, he is now the best welterweight in the world.
It’s been a wild ride to the top for the new 170-pound champion. On Saturday, Lawler finally reached his goal with a narrow decision win over Johny Hendricks, avenging a loss that he suffered in his only other UFC championship bout.
A rubber match will inevitably happen. However, there may be other options for Lawler in the short term. A rematch with Rory MacDonald appears to be a strong possibility.
Here are the matchups that should be made for Lawler, Hendricks and the rest of the UFC 181 competitors.