Woodley is the new welterweight champion. Photo: Disclosure/UFC
The “curse of champions” remains firm and strong in 2016. This Saturday night (30), in the main fight of UFC 201, in Atlanta (USA), Tyron woodley dispatched Robbie Lawler in just a few minutes to become the new holder of the welterweight belt of the main MMA organization on the planet.
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Woodley, who hadn't stepped into the Octagon since January 2015, didn't appear to be hampered by the time away. The challenger started the fight surrounding the champion, who, in turn, acted very cautiously. Still in the first moves, Woodley looked for the takedown, which was rejected by Lawler.
When the fight returned to striking, Woodley managed to surround Lawler against the fence and delivered the right blow: a right cross that hit the champion's chin. Lawler fell, practically surrendered, and, a few blows from Woodley later, the referee interrupted the actions.
This was the seventh time that a UFC champion was dethroned in 2016. Since January, this has also happened in the bantamweight division (TJ Dillashaw), female cocks (Holly holm e Miesha Tate), light (Rafael dos Anjos), medium (Luke Rockhold) and heavy (Fabricio Werdum).
Woodley became the sixth champion in the history of the welterweight category, the third since 2014. Lawler is dethroned in his third title defense.
Ellenberger runs over Brown and survives in the UFC
UFC athlete since 2009, Jake ellenberger he was going through a very delicate phase in the organization, with five defeats in his last six fights. However, the American shook off his bad form by inflicting a tough defeat on the also experienced Matt Brown.
In the opening seconds, Ellenberger showed what he came for: he ran across the octagon and landed a powerful straight right, which took Brown to the canvas. The “Immortal” lived up to his name and survived, and shortly after chased Ellenberger around the octagon. However, “The Juggernaut” connected with a kick to Brown's body, once again taking his opponent to the ground. A few blows later, the referee interrupted and gave Ellenberger the important victory.
In this way, Ellenberger wins for the first time since February 2015 and puts an end to a streak of two consecutive defeats. Brown suffers his fourth setback in the last five fights.
Kowalkiewicz wins and enters a collision course with compatriot
The women's strawweight category should soon have a 100% Polish duel for the belt. Karolina Kowalkiewicz slowed the rise of Rose namajunas, obtained an important victory and entered into a collision course with the weight champion, Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
Namajunas started the fight by imposing his pace, with good combinations from long distance and a takedown at the end of the first round. However, from the second round onwards, the Polish bet on a weapon that paid off: knees to the body from the clinch.
The blows not only bothered her rival, they also took her breath away and slowed her pace. Thus, Karolina imposed her game in the last two periods and won the split decision from the judges.
Kowalkiewicz is then at the head of the line for the belt. She should have the opportunity to return her only defeat in MMA, still in her amateur career, when she lost to Jedrezczyk in 2012, via submission.
Complete UFC 201 results:
MAIN CARD
Tyron woodley knocked out Robbie Lawler (punches) at 2:12 of R1
Karolina Kowalkiewicz derrotou Rose namajunas in the judges' split decision (double 29 to 28, 28 to 29)
Jake ellenberger defeated Matt Brown by technical knockout (kick and punches) at 1min46s of R1
Érik Pérez defeated Francisco Rivera via unanimous decision by the judges (double 30 to 26, 29 to 28)
Ryan Benoit defeated Fredy Serrano via split decision (double 29-28, 28-29)
PRELIMINARY CARD
Nikita Krylov knocked out Ed Herman (high kick) at 40s of R2
Jorge masvidal defeated Ross Pearson via unanimous decision (double 29-28, 30-27)
Anthony Hamilton knocked out Damian Grabowski (punches) 14 seconds into R1
Wilson reis submitted Hector Sandoval (rear naked choke) 1min49s into R1
Michael Graves x Bojan Velickovic ended in a majority draw (30 to 27, double 28 to 28)
Demien Brown knocked out César Arzamendia (punches) at 2:27 of R1
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