As a result of the UFC 195 (the UFC’s banging 2016 debut), fight fans are left wondering whether or not we will be getting a Robbie Lawler vs. Carlos Condit rematch. If not, who is next for “Ruthless”? We’ll take a look at some of the other title prospects in the division, and go over some match ups we might see in the future. It’s all this and more as we recap UFC 195 which took place January 2nd at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Robbie Lawler vs. Carlos Condit Rematch
Of course, everything is pure speculation, but one has to wonder whether or not a Robbie Lawler vs. Carlos Condit rematch will take place. I’m sure many fans would like to see the fight again – for several reasons. First of all, it’s going to be a front-runner for fight of the year despite it being the first week of 2016. Secondly, many believe the true winner of that contest did not get his hand raised. Carlos Condit dominated the statistics when it came to volume and landed strikes. It’s plain and simple – he was the busier fighter, but was he more effective? Lawler’s strikes clearly had more impact behind them despite landing at a much lesser rate. A few key flurries from Lawler seemed to win the entire round for him, which resulted in him getting the split decision nod.
My opinion on this is that the immediate rematch should be avoided. If the roles were reversed, and the challenger ended up winning a controversial decision – that’s when you book an immediate rematch. However, the challenger in this case fell a little short of the mark – no rematch needed.
Next Up for Robbie Lawler
So if we don’t get a Robbie Lawler vs. Carlos Condit rematch, who is next for “Ruthless”? A few marquee welterweights are in the title picture. First, we have Johny Hendricks vs. Stephen Thompson. If Hendricks wins this fight, he will be 2-0 since dropping that controversial split decision to Robbie Lawler back at UFC 181 in December, 2014. I say this definitely warrants Hendricks the title shot above all other contenders barring any weight issues that “Big Rigg” has been known to have. On the flip side, if Stephen Thompson wins, he will be 7-1 in the UFC with a 6-fight winning streak (his only loss was a decision to Matt Brown in April, 2012). One could definitely argue Thompson is title shot worthy, especially if he puts on an impressive performance like he did against Jake Ellenberger.
Other prominent contenders are: Tyron Woodley, Demian Maia, Hector Lombard, and Rory MacDonald. Right now, neither Woodley nor Maia have fights coming up; Woodley was supposed to fight Johny Hendricks at UFC 192, but Hendricks pulled out last minute due to weight cutting issues. Demian Maia, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace, put on a one-sided clinic against fellow ranked welterweight Gunnar Nelson at UFC 194 in December; Maia is on a 4-fight win streak since losing to Rory MacDonald in early 2014. Woodley vs. Maia would be a pivotal match up to make that could easily crown the next in line.
This leaves Hector Lombard to fight Rory MacDonald. In my opinion, neither Lombard nor MacDonald are as close to earning the title shot as the other fighters listed above. Of course, Lombard is undefeated at 170 lbs, but recently was suspended for PED usage – it’ll be interesting to see his physical shape upon return. MacDonald on the other hand sustained lots of damage in his fight of the year with Robbie Lawler in July of 2015 – I’m interested to see if he is still the same fighter. Since both Lombard and MacDonald had to be sidelined recently, book them against each other to see who can stay among the elite.
And then there’s Carlos Condit … Poor Carlos Condit. You can’t help but feel bad for the guy, especially listening to him at the UFC 195 post-fight press conference. He is contemplating retirement, but I don’t think he’s serious about it. I think he proved to himself that he has what it takes to be the welterweight champion. If a Robbie Lawler vs. Carlos Condit rematch does not get made, look for Condit to be an injury replacement for any of the match ups listed above in order to get fast-tracked into a rematch, or perhaps take on someone just shy of the top 5; maybe someone like Matt Brown or Benson Henderson.
In Summary
If I were Joe Silva, I’d be leaning towards booking the winner of Johny Hendricks vs. Stephen Thompson against Robbie Lawler – especially if one of them snags home an impressive victory. You can’t deny Thompson’s streak, and you can’t deny Hendricks’s claim to the throne that is arguably his to begin with. However, a Tyron Woodley vs. Demian Maia match up could easily be for the next-in-line following the outcome of Hendricks/Thompson. Meanwhile, you have Lombard and MacDonald fighting for stakes as well – the winner of this fight could take on the winner of Woodley/Maia barring the outcome as well. And then, throw Carlos Condit in there with either the loser of one these match ups, Benson Henderson, or Matt Brown.
