Lawler vs. Woodley

This is the official discussion thread for Lawler vs. Woodley. Let's see what you've got.

@Hyrm So?  The UFC made a promise to Arlovski after UFC 187 that he was getting the winner of Velasquez-Werdum.  And what happened?  Arlovski got the short end of the ******* stick.

UFC breaks promises all the time but have somehow felt the need to give Woodley a title shot because Hendricks missed weight and didn't fight Woodley. Never mind that Woodley's on only a two fight winning streak, his win against Gastelum was super unimpressive, and at this point Thompson, Magny, and Maia are all on better runs. Plus Condit should have gotten the decision against Lawler and has a better case for a rematch than Woodley does for a shot regardless of what happened in the past.

Sounds like Condit is angling for a Diaz rematch. I'm hearing some chatter that there's some weirdness going on at the top of 170. Idk what's up, but this Lawler-Woodley bout is not signed.

I'm getting the feeling that overall UFC 201 is going to be kinda a meh card or at least underrated. Possibly because it's going to share the same PPV month as UFC 200.

UFC 202 on the other hand could be another mega card with Conor/Diaz II and Condit/Diaz II as the main and co-main.

Promises mean nothing.

Lame.

This is going to suck.  I just hope that Lawler starches Woodley within three rounds.  If Woodley wins, it'll be such a ******* joke.

Lawler pulls of a KO near the 2nd or 3rd round.

Woodley will probably tire out within 2 rounds due to Lawlors pace.

Woodley's "road to the title:

- 4-1 in his last five fights 
- Win over washed up Koscheck 
- His best "win" is over Condit via he tore his ACL 
- A DECISIVE loss to a guy who lost to the champ twice (MacDonald) 
- 2 wins over (sort of) ranked guys, neither in the top 5 or even close (Gastelum was ranked 15 at the time, DHK was also outside the top 10) 
- Made weight before the Henricks fight (his best achievment in the "streak" outside his "win" over Condit) 
- Waited on the sidelines for a year and a half for a promised title fight as if he'd been on a 10 fight win streak, cleaned out the top 10 and was the clear #1 contender 

Wonderboy:

- 7 fight win streak 
- Beat #1 contender Rory MacDonald (yup, that same guy who decisivey beat Woodley) 
- Killed ex-champ Hendricks 
- Looked amazing doing it 
- Has a full head of hair and a smile you would die for 

Maia:

- 5 fight win streak 
- Wins over more relevant guys than Woodley (Brown, Gunni, Magny > DHK, out of shape Gastelum, Koscheck) 
- Hasn't been on the bench for almost 2 years

The only reason he's getting the shot is because he pissed and moaned so much about Hendricks not making weight that they promised him the fight (something he's still doing even in the countdown). 

His title eliminator fight was against the scales.

Another thing they're trying to sell in the countdown is that, and I quote, "Woodley has all the tools necessary to make this another fight of the year candidate" ... hell no. Woodley either finishes it fast or fades mid round 2. Why they have zero respect for the fan's ability to analyze a clash of styles is beyond me. Woodley vs. Lawler isn't going to be a 5 round war (or if it does, it's an anomaly, not a selling point for in the pre-fight bells and whistles). 

There, now I've got that out of my system for the last time, now I can sit back and enjoy this fight because whether I like it or not, it's happening and it's a fun fight.

* Edited at 07.26.2016, 6:25 AM ET *

Sometimes the champ needs an easier fight.

I don't even think it's that, Tyron has ways, well, a way to win ... it just doesn't involve a 5 round war if you're in the pre-fight perspective. This isn't an easy fight by any means. Tyron is legit.

He's explosive, fast, powerful, Robbie's definitely hittable ... it wouldn't be a complete shocker if Woodley lands a fight ender.

I just think when selling a fight, give the fans credit, sell the THE fight at hand, don't just regurgitate generic ****.

* Edited at 07.26.2016, 8:55 AM ET *

Woodley will be dangerous for 1½ rounds, after that, smooth sailing.

Lawler is an animal, he will maul Woodley. Lawler TDD is crazy good now, he keeps the fight standing and tells Woodley to bang it out, Woodley obliges and gets put to sleep.

I think most people are looking at this as a squash match. Woodley might not be deserving, but he's definitely game and has the tools to slow the fight down. I still think robbie is the superior fighter, but this won't be easy.

You all think the 3 white contenders deserve the title shot more hmm... (Condit, Maia, Wonderyboy)

i can see Lawler getting flasjmh KOed but i would not bet on it.

Lawler will use his experience and Champion mindset to keep Woodley at bay. Woodley's cardio will fade in the 2nd round, allowing Lawler to knock him out.