Lawler Lifts Crown Via Split Decision & Pettis Retains Via Choke in UFC181 Title Fights

It was a long time coming for multi-divisional champion and MMA veteran “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler as he lifted the crown off of the now former UFC welterweight champion, Johny “Bigg Rigg” Hendricks. Being in the game for almost 2 decades had to pay off for the Iowa native and all that experience shined tonight from the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas as he grabbed his first ever UFC title in the UFC 181 headliner. It didn’t come easy as both men left with bruises following another war similar to its predecessor at UFC 171 this past March. That March night in Texas the two 170ers fought for the title relinquished by former division king, Georges St. Pierre. Hendricks won the bout by unanimous decision, after the fight Lawler vowed to fight better and not let the belt slip through his hands if given another chance. He kept his word.

The 5-round slug fest saw Lawler bring the fight to Hendricks in the form of constant punching combinations as Hendricks looked for takedowns or leg kicks to break his opponent down. In the 1st round Lawler pursued a fire fight as he charged at his man with hooks to the body and head as well as overhand punches that got cheers from the crowd. Hendricks slowed down the momentum of his challenger by nabbing some takedowns in every round but he did not offset Lawler’s offense like he managed to in their prior outing.  “Bigg Rigg” Hendricks’ leg kicks were there but what was not was the same pace or approach that he maintained in the championship rounds for their first bout. This time it was Ruthless” Robbie who reminded people why you can never count out a multiple organization veteran. Lawler closed the show strong in the 4th by avoiding a take down thus using the positioning to land some nasty hammer fists unto his foe’s head that had Herb Dean on the fence leaning in to stop the bout just before the bell sounded. In the 5th stanza Lawler let his hands go pursuing a brawl from the Texan who had no answer and got on his heels to avoid a fight ending punch.

One judge had it for Johny Hendricks with a score of 48-47 while the other two judges decided on a new UFC welterweight champion via scores of 48-47 and 49-46.  The loss drops Hendricks to a record of (16-3) as he hopes to work his way back to another title shot. The victory lifts the new belt holder to (25-10) as Robbie Lawler awaits a possible trilogy with Hendricks or a rematch against #1 ranked contender, Rory MacDonald in 2015.

PETTIS HANDS MELENDEZ FIRST SUBMISSION LOSS IN UFC 155lbs TITLE FIGHT

For the co-main event of the evening former WEC champion, Anthony “Showtime” Pettis defended his UFC lightweight crown for the first time in his career against former WEC and Strikeforce lightweight champion, Gilbert Melendez. The match served as not only the co-main event of the evening but also as a dream match for MMA aficionados who hoped for years that these two standouts would one day meet. The time could not have been better as the two locked horns for Pettis’ lightweight strap while they are still in the prime of their careers. Right out of the gate Melendez pursued a wrestling heavy approach to winning the fight. He easily took the 1st stanza by keeping the Milwaukee native on his heels or against the cage for the majority of the first 5 minutes fishing for takedown after takedown. The champion did some great work stuffing some of the attempts by Melendez, but he also found himself on his seat having multiple times to get back up. During the las minute however the title holder was able to put together some front kicks as well as solid right hooks to the head or body of his challenger to slow down the action bringing it to a more suitable pace.

Going into the 2nd round “Showtime” Pettis had allot more success in comparison to the first stanza in stuffing take downs as well as connecting with some strikes. Melendez returned to his bread & butter after eating a front kick to the face from Pettis. He searched for another takedown along the cage wall but didn’t get to complete it. This left Pettis with the option to pull guard so he did,  sinking in a quick guillotine choke in the process. He locked it in securing the hold by grasping his hands together underneath Melendez’ so the end was inevitable as the tap came.

With the submission victory which came at (1:53) of the 2nd round Anthony “Showtime”Pettis not only succeeds in his first title defense but becomes the first man to submit Gilbert Melendez. Pettis looks forward to his next UFC lightweight title defense in 2015 as he improves to (18-2). The loss for Gilbert Melendez drops him to (22-4) as he looks to come back stronger and rebound next year.

BROWNE TAKES OUT SCHAUB IN ONE ROUND VIA STRIKES

The second bout pitting the big men of the UFC featured top ranked Travis Browne (17-2-1) taking on The Ultimate Fighter: The Heavyweights finalist Brendan “Big Brown” Schaub (11-5). The fight was methodical for the first few minutes as both men picked their shots. Eventually, Schaub managed to drill his man to the mat off of a solid takedown set up by a 2-punch combination. Schaub looked to put together some more offense via ground strikes but Browne found  his way back to his feet instantly.

The two monsters backed up for only a few seconds before coming forward again to trade leather. This time, Browne timed his opponent coming in with a clean right uppercut. Stunned, “Big Brown” still marched forward but it was clear that he was hurt as the fight got to the mat where Browne had the upper hand. He passed his foe’s guard on two occasion’s as he hit Schaub with some brutal hammer fists from top position. Browne then easily got the full mount continuing to unload his punches as Schaub covered up. The Los Angeles native then gave up his back but Browne did not want the submission choke opting to continue raining down punches on his opponent as the referee stepped in to call a halt to the bout.

Travis Browne picked up the TKO victory over Brendan Schaub at (4:50) of the 1st round.  At the post fight press conference, Browne welcomed a rematch with Werdum or the winner of next weekend’s bout pitting former UFC champion Junior dos Santos against Stipe Miocic in Phoenix.

DUFFEE DERAILS HAMILTON IN 32 SECONDS

Todd Duffee (9-2) took on Anthony “Freight Train” Hamilton (13-4) as the first of two bouts on the UFC 181 pay per view. Both men wasted absolutely no time locking horns in the middle of the Octagon as they threw bombs at it each other that shook the entire arena. Sure enough during one of those exchanges a Duffee right hook landed flush on Hamilton who was in the middle of launching his own punches. The shot crash landed right above his right ear separating Hamilton from his senses. Duffee followed up with two more right hooks to his fallen foe’s head as the referee stepped in to stop the action.

The official time of the vicious knockout was 32 seconds of round 1 as Todd Duffee has now not gone the distance 11 times out of his 11 fights.

FERGUSON FINISHES TRUJILLO INSIDE THE DISTANCE VIA REAR NAKED CHOKE

The Ultimate Fighter season 13 winner Tony “El Cu Cuy” Ferguson (18-3) collided with Abel “Killa” Trujillo (12-6) in a battle of lightweight standouts to kick off the main card from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Vegas. Trujillo sent Ferguson to the canvas early in round 1 courtesy of a perfectly placed counter right hand during an exchange.  The California native was visibly hurt but weathered the storm as he retreated but covered up alertly but avoiding any more heat from his opponent. “Killa” Trujillo put his man down two more times in the same round when Tony tried implementing low kicks to his game and was taken to the mat as a result of some great Trujillo take downs.

Heading into round 2, Trujillo seemed a little fatigued from the fast pace of the match due to  having thrown home run punches for most of the first 5 minutes. This enabled the tide to turn favoring Ferguson who stalked his man now putting together front kicks as well as a crisp jab to make Trujillo back up. “El Cu Cuy” smelled blood and pushed the pace by adding combinations to his arsenal so as soon as he trapped his man along the wall, he went to work on some submissions. The Orange County native looked for his patented D’arse Choke which wasn’t there but sure enough he locked in a rear naked choke that was open for him.

Tony Ferguson continues his winning ways as he finishes Abel Trujillo via rear naked choke submission at (4:19) of the 2nd round.