UFC 181 Results: Matches to Make for the Entire Fight Card
When he left the UFC in 2004, Robbie Lawler didn't seem like a fighter who would one day be wearing a UFC belt around his waist. A decade later, he is now the best welterweight in the world.
It's been a wild ride to the top for the new 170-pound champion. On Saturday, Lawler finally reached his goal with a narrow decision win over Johny Hendricks, avenging a loss that he suffered in his only other UFC championship bout.
A rubber match will inevitably happen. However, there may be other options for Lawler in the short term. A rematch with Rory MacDonald appears to be a strong possibility.
Here are the matchups that should be made for Lawler, Hendricks and the rest of the UFC 181 competitors.
Prelim Fighters
1 of 11
Prelim Winners
| Fighter | Matchup |
| Urijah Faber | Raphael Assuncao |
| Josh Samman | Rafael Natal vs. Tom Watson Winner |
| Corey Anderson | Gian Villante |
| Raquel Pennington | Jessica Andrade |
| Sergio Pettis | Aljamain Sterling |
| Clay Collard | Yair Rodriguez |
Prelim Losers
| Fighter | Matchup |
| Francisco Rivera | Hugo Viana |
| Eddie Gordon | Trevor Smith |
| Justin Jones | Chris Dempsey |
| Ashlee Evans-Smith | Larissa Pacheco |
| Matt Hobar | Marlon Vera |
| Alex White | Leonardo Morales |
Abel Trujillo
2 of 11
Matchup: K.J. Noons vs. Daron Cruickshank Loser
Abel Trujillo started strong at UFC 181, knocking Tony Ferguson down and scoring two takedowns in the opening stanza. However, he faded early and was beaten on the ground in the second round.
Ferguson was able to record a takedown and took control on the canvas. With less than one minute remaining in the second frame, Ferguson locked up a rear-naked choke and brought Trujillo's winning streak to an end.
"Sorry everyone I got tired and got lazy. I'm very disappointed within myself. Thank you everyone for the support!
— Abel Trujillo (@AbelTrujillo1) December 7, 2014"
Now, Trujillo will have to begin a new run at lightweight title contention. It's likely the heavy-hitting Blackzilian would be matched up with a striker, so a bout with the loser of a December 12 meeting between K.J. Noons and Daron Cruickshank is a possibility.
Tony Ferguson
3 of 11
Matchup: Jorge Masvidal
With a submission win Saturday over Trujillo, Ferguson has now picked up four consecutive victories.
Ferguson's boxing looked to be his biggest weapon when he won TUF 13, but El Cucuy has become a dangerous grappler as well. He's now picked up two submissions during his current winning streak.
"@UFC #UFC181 Shhhhh Go to sleep Killa.... #Elcucuy Viene! #TonyFergusonMMA http://t.co/zYxwuzNr6O pic.twitter.com/DGoHjcTZxC
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) December 7, 2014"
Expect Ferguson to see a small step up in competition and meet a more well-rounded adversary. A bout with Jorge Masvidal would be very intriguing as Ferguson looks to become a contender in the lightweight division.
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Anthony Hamilton
4 of 11
Matchup: Shawn Jordan vs. Jared Cannonier Loser
In August, Anthony Hamilton stopped Ruan Potts to record his first UFC victory.
That win earned him a high-profile matchup with Todd Duffee, who hadn't stepped into the Octagon in two years. However, Duffee didn't show any rust, as he stopped Hamilton brutally in 33 seconds.
At 34 years old, Hamilton will have to go back to the drawing board in a hurry. Facing the loser of a January matchup between Shawn Jordan and Jared Cannonier would give him a good chance to rebound.
Todd Duffee
5 of 11
Matchup: Oleksiy Oliynyk
Following a two-year hiatus, Duffee wasted little time in his return to the Octagon.
33 seconds... http://t.co/KU6HeH9Cy4
— Todd Duffee (@ToddDuffee) December 7, 2014
Long considered one of the more physically gifted competitors in the heavyweight division, Duffee showed how dangerous he can be with a quick knockout win over Hamilton. As long as he can remain healthy, Duffee could be a force in the shallow heavyweight class.
Before he gets a big step up in competition, Duffee will need to prove he can remain active, so a bout with Oleksiy Oliynyk makes sense for now.
Brendan Schaub
6 of 11
Matchup: Alistair Overeem vs. Stefan Struve Loser
Brendan Schaub had an opportunity to make a big move in the heavyweight division Saturday, but he wasn't able to pull off the upset against Travis Browne at UFC 181.
While he was able to score a takedown in the opening round, which would have been a key to his potential victory, Schaub wasn't able to do much from the top position. Eventually, he found himself underneath Browne and was unable to survive his opponent's ground-and-pound.
"Damn. I'm ok, no injuries just a heavy heart. Appreciate all the positive support. Love you guys
— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) December 7, 2014"
Schaub has now lost two in a row and will likely meet an opponent who is slumping just as much. Meeting the loser of another December bout between Alistair Overeem and Stefan Struve would give Schaub an opportunity to get back on track against a big-name adversary.
Travis Browne
7 of 11
Matchup: Andrei Arlovski
After a deflating loss to Fabricio Werdum, Browne was able to get back on track against Schaub.
Hapa started a bit slow, allowing an early takedown. However, Browne was eventually able to gain the top position and put Browne away with some heavy ground-and-pound.
#UFC181 facts: @travisbrowneMMA ties Arlovski, Nelson, and Velasquez for most first round knockouts in UFC heavyweight history with six.
— UFC (@ufc) December 7, 2014
Having so recently lost to the interim heavyweight champion, Browne is going to need a couple more wins to earn serious consideration for a title shot. Now that Browne no longer trains with him at Jackson-Wink MMA, Andrei Arlovski would be an interesting opponent.
Gilbert Melendez
8 of 11
Matchup: Rustam Khabilov
In his second title shot in three appearances, Gilbert Melendez came up short again.
Melendez looked to shut Anthony Pettis down in the clinch and with wrestling, but that game plan eventually backfired. As he looked for a takedown in the second round, Melendez was caught in a guillotine choke, resulting in a submission loss.
""He's a fast, slick youngster...he made me a feel a little old today." -Gilbert Melendez on Pettis.
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) December 7, 2014"
At 32 years old, Melendez might be running out of opportunities to capture a UFC championship. He might consider switching weight classes to turn things around. If he does remain at 155 pounds, though, Melendez could meet Rustam Khabilov.
Anthony Pettis
9 of 11
Matchup: Khabib Nurmagomedov
While injuries have prevented him from making the most of his time as lightweight champion, Pettis hardly showed rust in a win over Melendez at UFC 181.
Facing an opponent who was looking to take away his striking, Pettis was still able to get some work done while standing before finishing his challenger off on the ground. With his guillotine choke Saturday, Pettis has now won two in a row via submission.
"#AndStill the UFC lightweight champion of the world...@ShowtimePettis!!!!! #UFC181 pic.twitter.com/EgaPQhKCTg
— UFC (@ufc) December 7, 2014"
Pettis will need that ground game in a potential matchup with Khabib Nurmagomedov. The Russian could be the contender most deserving of a title shot, and his wrestling is his greatest strength.
Johny Hendricks
10 of 11
Matchup: Robbie Lawler
It was hardly a robbery, but Johnny Hendricks has now lost two different UFC title fights via controversial decisions.
At UFC 181, Hendricks recorded five takedowns while landing only five fewer significant strikes than Lawler. According to MMADecisions.com, most MMA media members saw the bout in Hendricks' favor, but two judges sided with Lawler.
"Johny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler 2 official UFC 181 scorecard http://t.co/haORr4Mx9f pic.twitter.com/h4mFSVjGyN
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) December 7, 2014"
That's a rough way to lose a UFC championship. Considering Hendricks has already beaten Lawler, the UFC should seriously consider putting together a rubber match rather than granting Rory MacDonald a title shot against Lawler.
Robbie Lawler
11 of 11
Matchup: Johny Hendricks
It was a long road to the top, but Lawler has had an outstanding career comeback and is now the best welterweight in the world.
Robbie Lawler earned a UFC title in his 14th UFC fight, the most octagon experience of anyone before winning a belt - http://t.co/tACUg9aBAk
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) December 7, 2014
Whether one agreed with the decision or not, Lawler performed well in his rematch with Hendricks. He stuffed 12 takedown attempts by Hendricks, an NCAA wrestling champion, and landed more strikes than his opponent.
He might be more interested in taking on fresh competition, but Lawler has a rematch coming his way no matter which direction the UFC goes. Rather than having him face MacDonald, who he is 1-0 against, why not pair Lawler with Hendricks now and get the rubber match out of the way now?
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