UFC 171: Johny Hendricks outlasts Robbie Lawler to win welterweight title in tight decision
Johny Hendricks lost a razor-thin decision for the welterweight title in his last outing, and he won one on Saturday in the main event of UFC 171.
Hendricks won 48-47 on all three judges' cards, defeating Robbie Lawler in a stirring battle for the belt that had been vacated in December by Georges St-Pierre.
"Hats off to him because he fought a hell of a fight," Lawler said.
Lawler, too, fought an outstanding battle and the fight was there for anyone to win. Hendricks, though, clearly won the final round when the title hung in the balance and that is the mark of a champion.
Hendricks landed a series of hard strikes as the fight came down the stretch, fighting off both fatigue and a very game opponent.
Most felt Hendricks had done enough to win the title from St-Pierre in November in Las Vegas, but the judges gave St-Pierre a hotly disputed split decision.
But when St-Pierre surrendered the belt, Hendricks got another chance.
Neither man was ever in jeopardy of being finished, though each took his share of abuse.