For the seventh time in 2016, a UFC Title has changed hands, with Tyron Woodley shocking Robbie Lawler by KO to take the UFC Welterweight Championship at UFC 201.
The finish came just 2:12 into the opening round on Saturday night, with Woodley feinting in and landing a huge overhand right as Lawler dropped his hands. He followed up with several strikes on the ground that put Lawler out for good.
The biggest surprise in Lawler’s title reign coming to an end is the fact that this is just his second ever KO loss. He’d taken ridiculous amounts of damage in several consecutive title fights, and now he’s gotten stopped for the first time since Nick Diaz knocked him out in 2004.
For the UFC, this result continues an absolutely insane year for the UFC that has already seen Holly Holm, Fabricio Werdum, Luke Rockhold, Rafael dos Anjos, and Miesha Tate lose their titles. Woodley now becomes the tenth man to capture the UFC Welterweight Championship in its 18 year history.
Penick’s Analysis: I’m still a bit shocked this happened. It was certainly a possibility. Woodley’s got the power to secure wins like this, he’s just been extremely inconsistent on that end. Lawler’s chin has held up in some ridiculous fights in this title run of his, but the lingering question of just how long that would last has been there. We found out tonight.
[Photo (c) Jayne Kamin-Oncea via USA Today Sports]
Attention iPhone/iPad and Android users, if you’ve enjoyed our app in the past and followed us there, or if you’ve never checked it out, make sure to update to the latest version in the Apple store and/or Google Play store. We’ve launched a new look for the app, in line with our recent desktop overhaul. Make sure to check it out!
For current App users, swipe right to view next article, swipe left to view previous article.
Leave a Reply