A new chapter in the UFC’s welterweight division will be written this weekend at UFC 171 when either Johny Hendricks or Robbie Lawler is crowned as the new champion.
It will be an historic moment for the UFC because there hasn’t been an undisputed welterweight champ not named Georges St-Pierre since 2007.
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Watch UFC 171 preliminary fights on Sportsnet 360 Saturday starting at 8 p.m. EST
Countdown to UFC 171: Johny Hendricks vs Robbie Lawler
Many feel Hendricks should already be champ after close, controversial loss to GSP at UFC 167 last November. After a relatively unremarkable start to his UFC career, “Bigg Rigg” has established himself as a dangerous fighter ever since his 12-second knockout of Jon Fitch.
Lawler has been on a tear since returning to the UFC and the 170-pound division. The former EliteXC middleweight champ knocked out former title challenger Josh Koscheck and the ultra-durable Bobby Voelker before earning an impressive decision win over Canadian Rory MacDonald. Lawler made his UFC debut in 2002 at age 20 and 12 years later gets his first crack at UFC gold.
Countdown to UFC 171: Carlos Condit vs Tyron Woodley
The co-main event will in all likelihood produce the next No. 1 contender who will go on to face the winner of Hendricks-Lawler.
Condit, the former interim champ and longtime WEC kingpin, is looking to build off a TKO win over Martin Kampmann, while Woodley hopes to win his second straight and make a mark in the division.
Countdown to UFC 171: Diego Sanchez vs Myles Jury
Amidst a sea of welterweight wildness, lightweights Diego Sanchez and Myles Jury go head-to-head as they look to rise up the 155-pound ladder.
Sanchez is coming off a Fight of the Year candidate against Gilbert Melendez, but hopes to avoid a second consecutive loss. With a win, Jury would improve to 14-0 as a pro and establish himself as a potential contender.
MAIN CARD (pay-per-view at 10 pm EST / 7 pm PST)
— Johny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler
— Carlos Condit vs. Tyron Woodley
— Diego Sanchez vs. Myles Jury
— Jake Shields vs. Hector Lombard
— Ovince St. Preux vs. Nikita Krylov
PRELIMS (Sportsnet 360 at 8pm EST / 5pm PST)
— Kelvin Gastelum vs. Rick Story
— Raquel Pennington vs. Jessica Andrade
— Dennis Bermudez vs. Jimy Hettes
— Sean Spencer vs. Alex Garcia
ONLINE PRELIMS (UFC Fight Pass at 6 pm EST / 3 pm PST)
— Renee Forte vs Frank Trevino
— Will Campuzano vs Justin Scoggins
— Robert McDaniel vs Sean Strickland
— Daniel Pineda vs Robert Whiteford
