Robbie Lawler and Tyron Woodley hit the scales on Friday ahead of their mouth-watering title bout at UFC 201, and both fighters came in dead on the 170-pound limit, per Fox Sports: UFC:
#UFC201 weigh-in results: Robbie Lawler (170) vs. Tyron Woodley (170)
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) July 29, 2016
The main event will see Lawler look to defend his welterweight title for the third consecutive fight, and he comes into Saturday’s clash in excellent shape.
Despite not taking to the Octagon since January, Lawler’s body is ready to be put to the ultimate test—something he should be used to by now.
In his previous two title tilts against Carlos Condit and Rory MacDonald, the American was taken all the way, but his grit and guile enabled him to prevail.
It’s all set to be another thriller at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, as the pair is closely matched on paper, although Lawler is hoping to make light work of his opponent.
Per Peter Carroll of MailOnline, the 34-year-old is looking to get in and out of the Octagon in double-quick time:
The thing is, no one ever wants fight of the night. Every fight I've gone in, I want Knockout of the Night. I want to be in and out quick. Sometimes these guys just have a lot of grit. They're highly trained and I just can't get them out of there so I get Fight of the Night. So it's not necessarily that I'm changing anything, it's like I'm just sick of Fight of the Night. I want to knock people out.
Lawler isn’t the only one who thinks Woodley may not stick around for long on Saturday, as fellow UFC fighter Sean Spencer says Lawler has a professional advantage over the challenger:
Robbie Lawler said it best! Woodley is a competitor but Lawler is a fighter! #Ufc201
— Sean Spencer (@seanspencer170) July 29, 2016
Woodley may have something to say about that, though.
The Chosen One has a solid submission game thanks to his wrestling roots, and although he hasn’t taken to the Octagon since January of last year, he’ll look to outwit Lawler tactically.
Woodley claims to be in the best possible shape to do exactly that.
"I'm putting everything together," Woodley explained to Carroll. You guys have seen the submission games, you've seen the wrestling games, you've seen the striking game. Over time I just matured as a fighter and it's my time to seize it. I'm putting everything together and I'm ready to take off."
Although Woodley says he’s improved his all-round game, he’d be smart to keep Lawler on the floor for as long as possible.
The more time the champion spends grappling on the floor, the more desperate and erratic he’ll become. That could lead to Lawler throwing wild punches, which would give Woodley the chance to capitalize.
Even so, Lawler is far more composed nowadays, and he’ll know not to be lured into clumsy attacks.
It’s all set to be an incredibly fiercely contested bout in Georgia, with two fighters at the top of their games going toe-to-toe.
Lawler has the edge in ability, but if Woodley plays a smart game, he could give the champ something to worry about.
