LAS VEGAS – For newly crowned UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler’s first title defense, he’ll face a familiar foe.

UFC President Dana White today confirmed that ex-champ Johny Hendricks (16-3 MMA, 11-3 UFC), not Rory MacDonald (18-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC), will get the first shot at Lawler (25-10 MMA, 10-4 UFC).

“Robbie and Rory just fought,” White said. “We just feel like the trilogy makes sense – to do the third fight with these two.”

An event and date haven’t been finalized for the rubber match. MacDonald, meanwhile, will hope to keep his title hopes alive when he fights another, currently undetermined, opponent, White said.

Lawler is ranked No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA welterweight rankings. Hendricks, meanwhile, is No. 2, and MacDonald is No. 3.

After former champ Georges St-Pierre vacated his belt in late 2013, Lawler and Hendricks fought for the belt in April 2014. Hendricks won the first meeting via unanimous decision. As Hendricks recovered from injuries, Lawler then defeated Jake Ellenberger and Matt Brown to set up the rematch in December at UFC 181.

In the heavily anticipated rematch of their initial “Fight of the Year” candidate, Lawler earned the split decision, though most media outlets scored the fight for Hendricks (via MMADecisions.com).

Immediately after the event, White said a trilogy fight “wouldn’t be a bad idea” and suggested MacDonald’s previously promised title shot wasn’t a sure thing.

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.