Lawler prevails after five-round welterweight war against Condit

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Robbie Lawler (r) held onto his welterweight belt fight after a gruelling fight.

    The standard for 2016 has been set and it is mighty high.

    Many predicted the main event of UFC 195 would be an early contender for ‘Fight of the Year’ and they were not wrong.

    – UFC 195: Stipe Miocic given golden opportunity after KO win

    – FIGHT CLUB: Sport360's wish list for 2016
    – GALLERY: Rousey to St. Pierre – The UFC's biggest upsets

    It was more than that, too, because Robbie Lawler – the incredibly regenerated welterweight champion – and Carlos Condit put on a fifth-round stanza that will go down as one of the best final five minutes in championship history.

    Last year brought MMA fans many gifts in the form of Conor McGregor, Holly Holm and Lawler vs Rory MacDonald and perhaps there was a bit of a hangover in Las Vegas as a result.

    But by the end there was a buzz in the MGM Grand Garden Arena that exploded into a roar and at its core two fighters who had given everything. The endearing image of both fighters hanging off the Octagon wall as the klaxon sounded a testament to that.

    ‘Ruthless’ retained his belt, though it was a close call. He is ‘fifth-round Robbie’ because the 33-year-old clawed his way back to take a split-decision victory with a guts for glory display in the finale.

    Judges Chris Lee and Derek Cleary gave Lawler rounds two, three and five and scored the fight for him 48-47.

    The third judge, Tony Weeks, gave Lawler rounds two and five and had it 48-47 for Condit. Ultimately, the title hinged on the third and that could have gone either way.

    It will be debated long and loud but regardless, what we had was pure. It was two athletes at the peak of their powers feeding off each other’s violence. Indeed, the statistics leaned in favour of Condit’s volume but in truth Lawler was efficient, landing less but landing with power. There would be no arguments against a repeat but Condit is contemplating retirement.

    “I’ve been at this for a long time, over 40 professional MMA fights, MMA and kickboxing,” said Condit, who lost to Georges St-Pierre for the same belt in 2012.

    “I don’t know. I came up short tonight. Tonight was kind of a do-or-die moment for my career. I was all in. If I got that strap, I’d keep fighting. If I didn’t, like I didn’t, I’d have to see if I can continue.”

    If that is to be the last, and thousands will hope it’s not, then he has left behind quite a memory. But even Lawler would like to see rounds six-10.

    “Carlos is a hell of a fighter who comes from one of the best camps in the world,” he said.

    “He came with a game plan and we battled it out but let’s do it again.

    “Carlos is just so tough every time he fights he proves people wrong. Hats off to him. He’s tough and technical as hell and he’s in shape.”

    Recommended