Credit: Dana White Twitter

The UFC 171 main event is the dawn of a new Welterweight era in the UFC as Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler battle for the vacant Welterweight title. For the first time in nearly eight years, the undisputed Welterweight title is on the line and Georges St-Pierre is not fighting.

Hendricks (15-2, 10-2 UFC) is coming off his razor close and controversial decision loss to long time champion, Georges St-Pierre back at UFC 167. Many believed that Hendricks deserved to walk away the champion that night, including UFC president Dana White. Instead, Georges St-Pierre defended his title and walked away from the sport. With his absence, the UFC nominated Hendricks to fight for the vacant belt tonight.

Across the cage will be longtime MMA veteran Robbie Lawler. Lawler has fought in nearly every top tier MMA organization over the last thirteen years, and he finally gets his shot at UFC gold tonight. After StrikeForce folded into the UFC, Lawler racked up three straight victories against Josh Koscheck, Bobby Voelker, and Rory MacDonald to get his unlikely shot at the UFC Welterweight championship.

Round 1: Leg kick from Hendricks and another. Lawler rushes in and lands a few hooks and a knee. Another kick from Hendricks, but it is checked. Left hand from Hendricks. Left hand from Lawler, and Hendricks clinches him. Knees to the thigh from Hendricks. Uppercut and left hand from Hendricks. Jabs from Lawler. Lawler sprawls and stuffs a takedown. Hendricks knees Lawler in the face. Right hand for Lawler. Leg kick from Hendricks. They exchange jabs. Hendricks misses a 1-2. Inside leg kick from Hendricks. Leg kick checked by Lawler. Left hand from Hendricks answered by a jab from Lawler. Left from Lawler. Two hooks miss for Lawler. Uppercut from Hendricks. Left hand from Hendricks followed by another low kick. Hendricks tries another takedown, but they clinch on the fence. Short left hand from Hendricks in the clinch. Knee from Hendricks. 10-9 Hendricks for his striking.

Round 2: Jab from Lawler. Right hand from Lawler. Hendricks misses a right. Left hand tags Hendricks. Left hand again from Lawler.Jabs from Lawler, but they exchange. Another kick from Hendricks. Uppercut from Lawler. Hard kick from Hendricks and a left. Knee from Hendricks. Jab from Lawler. Jab from Hendricks. 1-2 and a knee from Hendricks. Hendricks is mixing it up beautifully everywhere. Uppercut from Hendricks. 1-2 from Hendricks. Lawler with a left hand. 1-2 and jab for Hendricks. Hendricks finishes a combination with another beautiful leg kick. Left hand from Lawler. Hendricks with a punch to the leg. Left hand from Hendricks followed by a kick. Lawler stuffs a takedown, but eats a left. Jabs from Hendricks. Hendricks with a knee and jabs. Straight lefts are landing for Hendricks at will. Hendricks is just working Lawler on the feet. Lawler with a right hand. Combinations flowing effortlessly for Hendricks. Had kick misses for Lawler. Hendricks opens up with a beautiful combination of knees, hooks, and leg kicks. Lawler lands a big left as the bell sounds. 10-9 Hendricks for his incredible striking.

Round 3: Lawler comes out with a nice combination, but Hendricks answers back. Lawler with kicks, but Hendricks with a knee. Great start to the round for Lawler. Body shot from Hendricks and another. Leg kick from Lawler is checked. 1-2 from Hendricks. Stinging jab for Lawler. 1-2, uppercut, knee, leg kick, landing for Hendricks. These combinations are spectacular. Hendricks with a left hand and uppercut. Inside leg kick and over the top from Hendricks. Elbow and left hand hurt Hendricks. Lawler with a right hand and another. Lawler with a strong 1-2 and Hendricks is still hurt. Hendricks throws a leg kick and he is bleeding from his nose. Uppercut and right hand from Lawler and Hendricks with a takedown attempt that is stuffed. Lawler is landing jabs, but Hendricks is answering. Lawler uppercut and right hand over the top. Hendricks with a beautiful combination with a right and knee and leg kick. They exchange jabs. Hendricks with another knee and left hook. Jabs from both men. This is a great fight. 10-9 Lawler for his effective striking.

Round 4: They exchange to start the fourth again. 1-2 for Lawler answered by a kick from Hendricks. Knee from Lawler and he is opening up. .Hendricks lands a hard left hand of his own. Lawler is really opening up on the feet now. Left hand from Robbie. Robbie is putting out a ridiculous output. Hendricks attacks back, but eats a left hand. Hendricks takedown attempt is stuffed. Lawler looks like Hendricks earlier in the fight now. Hendricks face is a bloody mess. Hendricks with a left. Lawler with jabs. Right hand from Lawler. Hendricks’ right eye is a mess. 1-2 from Hendricks. 1-2 from Lawler. Knee from Hendricks and a 1-2. The output in this fight is absolutely stunning. Knee from Lawler in the clinch. Uppercut from Lawler, but Hendricks answers with a punch of his own. Jabs from Hendricks. Combination from Lawler. Jabs from Hendricks. They are just exchanging jabs and missing big punches. Lawler with a leg kick. Left hook from Lawler. Hard leg kick from Hendricks.Hendricks gets a takedown late in the round. 10-9 Lawler again. I have this tied going into the fifth. Amazing title fight.

Round 5: Jab from Lawler answered by Hendricks. Big left hand from Lawler as Hendricks was moving in. Hendricks misses a big left hook. Hendricks goes in for the takedown, but Lawler is showing excellent takedown defense. Knee to the legs from Hendricks. Lawler with a knee to the face. They are clinched on the fence, but the referee breaks them off. Lawler with a jab. Hendricks with another great combination ending in a leg kick. Lawler stuffs a takedown, and they are exchanging. 1-2 from Lawler. Right hand from Lawler and another. Hendricks gets hit with a hard left now. What a fight. Hendricks with two powerful left hands and now Lawler is hurt. Uppercut and left hand from Hendricks and Lawler is on wobbly legs. Big left hand hurts Lawler. Hendricks gets a takedown late in the round. Lawler is trying to get to his feet, but Hendricks is landing some ground and pound. 10-9 Hendricks for the takedown and hurting Lawler late. Hendricks deserves the title. What an incredible fight.

Official Decision: Johny Hendricks defeats Robbie Lawler by Unanimous Decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)