3. Johny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler -- Round 3
UFC 171
March 15 | Dallas
The bout for the vacant welterweight title at UFC 171 was a dynamic affair throughout, a slugfest in which both Hendricks and Lawler seized momentum at different points in the fight. For those who had lamented that too many of retired champion Georges St. Pierre’s title defenses had become dull and predictable, it was a welcome change.
Of all the ebb and flow that occurred, round three was the most memorable frame because it marked the first time in the bout that Lawler really got into a groove. After 10 minutes that, by most accounts, belonged to Hendricks, the man known as “Ruthless” started to have some fun.
The third frame was by no means a blowout, as Hendricks did a nice job of mixing up punching combinations with knees and kicks to the legs. It was Lawler who struck the round’s most significant blow, however, staggering Hendricks with a powerful left hook to the Oklahoman’s beard. From there, the American Top Team standout unloaded on his reeling foe with approximately a dozen punches. Somehow Hendricks remained upright, but perhaps sensing imminent danger, “Bigg Rigg” dove for a desperation takedown. Lawler shrugged it off, prompting a chant of “Robbie! Robbie!” to echo throughout the American Airlines Arena in Dallas, on Hendricks’ home turf.
At that point, the title hopefuls elected to stand and trade in the pocket with a little less than two minutes remaining. As the firefight unfolded, a smile formed on Lawler’s face, a grin reflecting both enjoyment and menace.
“He’s so crazy,” UFC analyst Joe Rogan said. “He’s smiling, just loving it. I think he’s actually enjoying it.”
It finally appeared that winning a belt was actually a possibility for Lawler, although it would take him another nine months to fully realize that dream. That Hendricks was able to weather the onslaught and fire back spoke volumes about his staying power, especially when it was later revealed he fought with a torn right biceps.
“Robbie is [expletive] tough,” Hendricks said after winning a unanimous decision. “I feel very blessed. I know the first two were mine. The third and fourth, he kind of caught me. In the fifth, I knew I had to win it. Robbie is tough. He’s a stud. I promise you, I’ll be facing him again, and when I do, hopefully I can put on a better performance.”
The two rivals already have 10 rounds in the books. With their series tied at 1-1 following Lawler’s victory at UFC 181, rounds 11-15 certainly bear watching.
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