The three stars of ‘UFC 171: Hendricks vs. Lawler’ in Dallas

“UFC 171: Hendricks vs. Lawler,” the organization’s third pay-per-view event of the year, was unquestionably its best.

The stakes were high for the 26 fighters competing at Dallas’ American Airlines Center, but none more so than main-event fighter Johny Hendricks (16-2 MMA, 11-2 UFC), who defeated Robbie Lawler (22-10 MMA, 6-4 UFC) for the vacant UFC welterweight championship.

Several fighters delivered career-best performances in front of a sold-out crowd in Texas. However, three performance stood out above the rest.

Now that another thrilling night of action inside the octagon has concluded, here are our three stars for UFC 171:

Third Star: Robbie Lawler

Despite turning in a losing effort, Lawler was one of the most impressive performers at UFC 171. He didn’t take home the belt, but he certainly gained the respect of anyone who questioned whether or not his career resurgence was just a flash in the pan.

Unlike many before him, Lawler gave Hendricks everything he could handle, and he had the fight within his grasp on a number of occasions. Unfortunately, he came up just a bit short when it mattered most in the fifth round, and he let the belt slip through his fingers.

While he failed to take home the gold this time, Lawler’s performance proved he is here to stay. “Ruthless” will be a ridiculously tough matchup for anyone in the welterweight division going forward, and it shouldn’t be a surprise to see him land another title fight in short order.

Second Star: Myles Jury

He wasn’t trying to sound cocky, but Myles Jury (14-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) summed up his performance perfectly in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan: It was somewhat surprising how easily he handled veteran lightweight Diego Sanchez (24-7 MMA, 13-7 UFC).

“Fury” was far too technically proficient for Sanchez in essentially every area as he picked his shots for three rounds for a clear decision victory. The win pushed Jury’s impressive UFC record to 5-0, with his win over “The Dream” being the most high profile of those affairs.

Jury has the skill, attitude and training environment needed to excel in the sport. Now he just has to get his name out there to the public. Handily dispatching of a recognizable name like Sanchez on a major PPV card was a step in the right direction.

If the natural progression of his skills continues each time he steps in the octagon, the 25-year-old has the chance to be a truly special member of the lightweight division.

First Star: Johny Hendricks

There were moments in the UFC 171 main event when it looked like winning the UFC welterweight championship wasn’t what the MMA gods wanted for Hendricks.

After going up two rounds on Lawler early, “Bigg Rigg” appeared to be on the verge of a catastrophic collapse in the third and fourth when he was hurt badly on his feet. The momentum was swinging the other way entering the fifth round, but that’s when Hendricks showed his championship spirit and found a way to get his hand raised.

In a close fight that came down to one big move, Hendricks secured a late takedown that gave him the final round, the fight and the title.

After spending four months with the feeling he should have taken the belt from Georges St-Pierre in November, Hendricks was finally vindicated by winning the title fair and square. More importantly, he did it in one of the greatest title fights in UFC history.

St-Pierre and his play-it-safe fighting style dominated the welterweight division for so long that Hendricks reign, however long it lasts, should be a welcomed change of pace.

For complete coverage of UFC 171, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site.

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Check out video highlights and a recap of UFC 171: