UFC 167: 3 Fights for Robbie Lawler to Take Next

Outside of the historically controversial decision that left Johny Hendricks defeated on his knees, Robbie Lawler's pressure cooker opposite Rory MacDonald stole the show.

In what was a welterweight battle to determine the next top contender, which of course was the case before all of these questions surrounding Georges St-Pierre came about, "Ruthless" needed to optimize his strength and bring the fight to a younger and more athletic opponent.

For two rounds the technical prowess of MacDonald's striking stifled the heavy-handed arsenal of Lawler.  But after catching the 24-year-old in the beginning of the third round, the veteran began to put on a performance resembling that of Carlos Condit opposite MacDonald back at UFC 155.

Lawler needed to win the last frame in order to spoil a GSP vs. GSP 2.0 future title fight.  He did just that on the back of consistent pressure, the ability to land in the pocket and great conditioning for a guy who recently made the jump back down to 170.

Here are three fights the red-hot Lawler can take next in order to increase his odds of a title shot sometime in 2014.

Jake Ellenberger

Now while Ellenberger would ultimately be a step back as far as Lawler's title plans are concerned, he offers the veteran another chance to pad his resume and keep busy while this GSP business plays out.

As the most heavy-handed welterweight in the UFC outside of Hendricks and Lawler, Ellenberger offers problems for anybody.  He'd be able to hit back whenever Lawler pushed the pace and tried to overwhelm him.

It's a matchup that could easily produce a Fight of the Night or Knockout of the Night, and a stylistic showdown that would allow Lawler to showcase other facets of his game.

Of course, Ellenberger has to get past former Strikeforce welterweight champion Tarec Saffiedine in January first.

Winner of Carlos Condit vs. Matt Brown

When a champion-esque Condit takes on a bruising brawler in Brown next month on Fox, two of the most game fighters in all of the UFC will be battling for bloody supremacy.

It's a fight that could most certainly warrant Fight of the Year consideration and launch the winner back into a title shot depending on GSP's impending vacation.

Regardless, Lawler should be waiting to challenge the winner.  Condit is still one of the biggest names in the sport and arguably the most talented fighter in the promotion without a title around his waist.

Brown, on the other hand, is a guy who has turned a rather lackluster professional career into one of the most impressive welterweight streaks outside of St-Pierre's title reign.  He's as tough as they come and people are starting to realize his top-level ability.

A matchup with either guy early next year will keep Lawler somewhat fresh and in the thick of things in a rather hazy welterweight title scene.

Johny Hendricks

If St-Pierre decides to step away, vacate his belt and refuse a rematch with Hendricks, Lawler seems like the best bet for the next championship showdown opposite a demoralized Hendricks.

The bottom line here is that Lawler defeated the young phenom who was supposed to run the division when GSP finally hung them up.  Well, considering Lawler's hands stopped that from happening, nobody would argue if he got the next shot.

Now, if St-Pierre does decide to fight within the next seven to nine months than it'll be Hendricks who gets his rematch.  If he's out longer, Lawler should get his shot.

As far as the fight goes, Hendricks' wrestling and conditioning could offer a serious problem for the veteran, but if he can get past MacDonald, Lawler is a serious threat to anyone.

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