Robbie Lawler edges Carlos Condit to retain UFC title

Nissi Icasiano

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Robbie Lawler edges Carlos Condit to retain UFC title
Lawler successfully defends the UFC welterweight title anew and improves his record to 27-10 with one no contest

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Robbie Lawler managed to walk out of the 16,800-seater MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada with the welterweight championship belt around his waist with a razor-thin decision victory over Carlos Condit in the headliner of the UFC 195 pay-per-view event on Sunday, January 3 (Manila time). 

Cageside judges Tony Weeks and Derek Cleary saw the high-octane affair in favor of Lawler with the identical scores of 48-47, while the third judge Chris Lee gave a 48-47 mark to Condit. 

With the debatable decision triumph over Condit, Lawler successfully defended the UFC welterweight title for the second time since capturing the gold-plated strap from Johny Hendricks in December 2014 and improves his prizefighting record to 27-10 with one no contest. 

On the other hand, Condit downgrades his professional standing to 30-9 and loses for the first time since May 2015 when he brutally defeated Thiago Alves in his comeback fight after being sidelined due to a year-long knee injury.

OMG!!! WOOOW!!!LAWLER/ CONDIT ENDING!!!MMA Fight Night Live

Posted by MMA Fight Night Live 2 on Saturday, January 2, 2016

In an exhilarating 5-round clash, Condit utilized his volume striking and diversity to keep the 33-year-old veteran at bay, landing 78 of his 198 significant strikes.

Condit, who ceded his interim welterweight title to then-champion Georges St-Pierre in November 2012, put Lawler in trouble early on as his height and length leverage allowed him to groove his way with leg kicks and keep the power-puncher at distance.

Off an excellently timed combination, Condit’s uppercut was able to drop Lawler to the canvas before tagging more punches that were augmented by a straight right. 

However, Lawler was able to cope up with Condit’s pace as he knocked down the challenger with a stiff right hand in the second round. 

In the third frame, Condit looked to take advantage of his range as he peppered Lawler with side and front kicks.

Meanwhile, Lawler preferred to pick his shots, attempting to use footwork to negate the distance before delivering a solid right elbow midway through the same round. 

Although Condit appeared to widen his lead at of the fourth as his foe’s output fell drastically, Lawler made his final pitch for a decision in the fifth stanza, where he unleashed a violent burst of elbows, punches, knees and kicks.

Condit was able to reply to Lawler’s flurry with his own strikes and stood toe-to-toe with the champion.

Lawler and Condit clung to the Octagon’s fence bloodied and exhausted at the final bell. 

“Carlos is a hell of a fighter. He comes from one of the best camps in the world and had a great game plan. We battled it out. There were two winners tonight. Let’s do it again,” Lawler said in the post-fight interview. 

Condit was gracious in defeat, but the 31-year-old native of Albuquerque, New Mexico felt that he did enough to take home the belt. 

“I felt I had 3 rounds in the bag, but that’s why you don’t leave it to the judges,” Condit stated.

UFC president Dana White had previously announced that Tyrone Woodley will be the next welterweight title contender, but many observers believe that a rematch between Lawler and Condit is sensible to book in the future. – Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!