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UFC 181, December 6th, Las Vegas, Nevada
Fight Card
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Johny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler
Anthony Pettis vs. Gilbert Melendez
Travis Browne vs. Brendan Schaub
Todd Duffee vs. Anthony Hamilton
Tony Ferguson vs. Abel Trujillo
Urijah Faber vs. Francisco Rivera
Eddie Gordon vs. Josh Samman
Corey Anderson vs. Justin Jones
Ashlee Evans-Smith vs. Raquel Pennington
Matt Hobar vs. Sergio Pettis
Clay Collard vs. Alex White
Rewatched first Hendricks/Lawler fight and it was more clearly a Hendricks win then I first thought it was. Hendricks was dominant in the first two rounds, landing the more variety of strikes, leg kicks, even a couple of takedowns. Lawler cruised to wins in the next two landing on the power punches and had Hendricks rocked. I suspect now that was because of Hendricks injured arm that probably fatigued more quickly. The fifth round, which I originally thought was very close for both fighters, and then won by Hendricks' takedown late - was actually a mirror image of Hendricks in the first and second round. I thought he got a second win, was more decisive and had two takedowns in the round. Lawler landed maybe three or four significant strikes.
Yes, the first fight was close, but Hendricks - even injured - was the better fighter. I think a healthy Hendricks will actually look to bang early but setup more takedowns. I don't see him wanting a huge brawl with Lawler, but boy it would be fun to watch.
Fight Card
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Johny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler
Anthony Pettis vs. Gilbert Melendez
Travis Browne vs. Brendan Schaub
Todd Duffee vs. Anthony Hamilton
Tony Ferguson vs. Abel Trujillo
Urijah Faber vs. Francisco Rivera
Eddie Gordon vs. Josh Samman
Corey Anderson vs. Justin Jones
Ashlee Evans-Smith vs. Raquel Pennington
Matt Hobar vs. Sergio Pettis
Clay Collard vs. Alex White
Rewatched first Hendricks/Lawler fight and it was more clearly a Hendricks win then I first thought it was. Hendricks was dominant in the first two rounds, landing the more variety of strikes, leg kicks, even a couple of takedowns. Lawler cruised to wins in the next two landing on the power punches and had Hendricks rocked. I suspect now that was because of Hendricks injured arm that probably fatigued more quickly. The fifth round, which I originally thought was very close for both fighters, and then won by Hendricks' takedown late - was actually a mirror image of Hendricks in the first and second round. I thought he got a second win, was more decisive and had two takedowns in the round. Lawler landed maybe three or four significant strikes.
Yes, the first fight was close, but Hendricks - even injured - was the better fighter. I think a healthy Hendricks will actually look to bang early but setup more takedowns. I don't see him wanting a huge brawl with Lawler, but boy it would be fun to watch.