Robbie Lawler vs. Rafael dos Anjos headlines UFC on FOX 26 in Winnipeg

A meeting of ex-champs is now the headliner for UFC on FOX 26.

The promotion announced today that ex-welterweight champ Robbie Lawler (28-11 MMA, 13-5 UFC) will take on ex-lightweight champ Rafael dos Anjos (27-9 MMA, 16-7 UFC), who seeks to win a belt at 170 pounds after joining the division earlier this year.

UFC on FOX 26 takes place Dec. 16 at MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The event’s main card, including the Lawler vs. dos Anjos headliner, airs live on FOX following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.

Lawler recently got back in the win column after a high-profile setback, outpointing Donald Cerrone in July at UFC 214. It had been one year since “Ruthless” stepped into the octagon following a knockout loss to current champ Tyron Woodley at UFC 201.

Lawler is 9-2 since returning to the octagon after a tour of now-defunct promotions. After his recent win, he said he won’t stress about getting another title shot and will simply focus on being his best.

Rafael dos Anjos

Opposing him is longtime vet dos Anjos, who this past month picked up his second straight win since moving from lightweight to welterweight. The Brazilian ex-champ has called for big names since bulking up, and called out champ Woodley after submitting veteran Neil Magny this past month at UFC 215.

Dos Anjos promised to make his fight with Woodley (18-3-1 MMA, 8-2-1 UFC) an entertaining one by pushing the action. But he’ll have no trouble with that against Lawler, who’s known for his blood-soaked brawls in the octagon.

With the addition, UFC on FOX 26 now includes:

• Robbie Lawler vs. Rafael dos Anjos
• Misha Cirkunov vs. Glover Teixeira
• Jared Cannonier vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
• Oluwale Bamgbose vs. Alessio Di Chirico
• Julian Marquez vs. Vitor Miranda
• Tim Elliott vs. Justin Scoggins

For more on UFC on FOX 26, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.