The State of the UFC Welterweight Division

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Wild

Wild

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Dec 31, 2014
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The Champion: Robbie Lawler

Robbie Lawler can turn it on.

Everyone talks about that metaphorical light switch. But the ability to actually do it—to find that extra gear and excel in those crunch-time moments when it matters most? That's rare.

Granted, Lawler's strong finishes are informed, maybe necessitated, by his notorious slow starts. But even if that's the case, the way he employs energy, shakes off injury and wields that devastating power when he needs it most is special.

It leads to close fights. Most recently, plenty of onlookers (including UFC President Dana White) thought Carlos Condit did enough to dethrone Lawler at UFC 195. Two fights with Hendricks were split between the two men and were razor-close.

And then there was that thing with Rory MacDonald. It was only one of the best fights in MMA history and one MacDonald was probably winning until Lawler pulverized his face in the fifth and final round. I still get the chicken skins just thinking about it.

All to say, the welterweight division has a cool champion right now in Lawler. Is he unbeatable? Heck no. Will he inevitably deliver memories? Heck yes. You know what you're getting with Lawler, and the getting is good.

The Contenders: Rory MacDonald, Carlos Condit, Tyron Woodley, Stephen Thompson

The Prospects: Donald Cerrone, Albert Tumenov, Kelvin Gastelum, Kamaru Usman

A Long Way To Go: Johny Hendricks, Gunnar Nelson

The Best Of The Rest: Demian Maia, Neil Magny

LINK: State of the UFC Welterweight Division
 
Robbie Hart

Robbie Hart

All Kamala Voters Are Born Losers, Ha Ha Ha
Feb 13, 2015
52,073
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Lawler is beatable but fuck if he doesn't just say "I'm going to smash you, no wrestling, I'm trying to take your head off"..........he brings the fight.....when has he ever tried to take someone down to lay on them and rest?
 
Andrewsimar Palhardass

Andrewsimar Palhardass

Women, dinosaurs, and the violence of the octagon.
Jan 8, 2016
5,234
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I still think Rory "Stupid Nickname" Macdonald is the future of that division. 25 years old.

Woodley is the least of those contenders. Any fight that includes two of Lawler, Rory, Condit or Wonderboy will get me giddy at this point.
 
HEATH VON DOOM

HEATH VON DOOM

Remember the 5th of November
Oct 21, 2015
17,274
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Everyone dismisses Maia and all he is doing is making people look foolish in the cage. There is no reason to think Maia wouldnt school Gastellum at this point.
 
TheAwkwardTitan

TheAwkwardTitan

IQ = 209
Jan 30, 2016
2,035
3,493
Johny just got finished, but how can you say he has a long way to go? He's the former champion and still top 5. He only needs a few impressive performances and he's fighting for the title again.
 
Ghost Bro

Ghost Bro

Wololo ~Leave no turn unstoned
Nov 13, 2015
8,511
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It's a clusterus fuck.

Woodley has been very unlucky, might've gotten fucked over too. I want to see wonderboy have a go..
It's really a terrible promotion job by the ufc it's like they didn't care for wonderboy..totally slept on his potential..woodley is about to get miesha'd..I kinda feel bad for him but it's been a year, with a victory over gastellum..was about to fight Hendricks himself though...hmm yup he's getting fucked over. But I think Wonderbro is the fight to make right now I just wanna see him kick vast amounts of ass as champ.
 
sparkuri

sparkuri

Pulse on the finger of The Community
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Jan 16, 2015
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It's important to note this is a sourced article, written by someone else.


I agree that Hendricks has a ways to go.
I think he needs a different camp.
Maybe a permanent move to 185 would help?
Maia may be right there, if he can conduct the fight program. Personally, he hasn't stroked my shaft. A-level no doubt, but I'd rather watch grass grow unless it's a bjj tourny.
Rory's been the future for 5 years.
THE TIME IS NOW.
Woodley might be the next champ, but wouldn't hold onto it passed a couple defenses.
Condit will always be "a champ" in my eyes, I'm happy if he just keeps getting great matchups.
I have enjoyed seeing Tumenov rise, as well as Thompson.
With Lawler on top, I feel a sense of satisfaction for the history books.
This is a stacked division.
Most of these guys to be champ on any given night.
 
tang

tang

too high to rigg
Oct 21, 2015
9,404
12,402
U forgot one name under contender.

Nick Diaz.

Not saying he deserves but he's in the mind of matchmaker
 
CHiLLEN

CHiLLEN

All hail the Irishman
Feb 8, 2016
459
812
TheAwkwardTitan said:
Johny just got finished, but how can you say he has a long way to go? He's the former champion and still top 5. He only needs a few impressive performances and he's fighting for the title again.
Click to expand...
My thoughts exactly. Wonderboy can make anyone look average. He's far from done in my books. His next couple of fights though, will be the telling factor.
 
leggwith2gs

leggwith2gs

Active Member
Nov 10, 2015
72
181
I say, let Wonderboy fight for (and of course win) the title from Lawler and then just have everyone else try to take it from Wonderboy :leftright::leftright:
 
TedCzech

TedCzech

Ted Czech
Jan 11, 2016
799
1,227
Wild said:


The Champion: Robbie Lawler

Robbie Lawler can turn it on.

Everyone talks about that metaphorical light switch. But the ability to actually do it—to find that extra gear and excel in those crunch-time moments when it matters most? That's rare.

Granted, Lawler's strong finishes are informed, maybe necessitated, by his notorious slow starts. But even if that's the case, the way he employs energy, shakes off injury and wields that devastating power when he needs it most is special.

It leads to close fights. Most recently, plenty of onlookers (including UFC President Dana White) thought Carlos Condit did enough to dethrone Lawler at UFC 195. Two fights with Hendricks were split between the two men and were razor-close.

And then there was that thing with Rory MacDonald. It was only one of the best fights in MMA history and one MacDonald was probably winning until Lawler pulverized his face in the fifth and final round. I still get the chicken skins just thinking about it.

All to say, the welterweight division has a cool champion right now in Lawler. Is he unbeatable? Heck no. Will he inevitably deliver memories? Heck yes. You know what you're getting with Lawler, and the getting is good.

The Contenders: Rory MacDonald, Carlos Condit, Tyron Woodley, Stephen Thompson

The Prospects: Donald Cerrone, Albert Tumenov, Kelvin Gastelum, Kamaru Usman

A Long Way To Go: Johny Hendricks, Gunnar Nelson

The Best Of The Rest: Demian Maia, Neil Magny

LINK: State of the UFC Welterweight Division
Click to expand...
Saw today that Woodley is playing matchmaker, saying Thompson needs to fight someone like Rory before getting a title shot. ... wait so Thompson has to beat the guy that Woodley lost to?
 
BeardOfKnowledge

BeardOfKnowledge

The Most Consistent Motherfucker You Know
Jul 22, 2015
61,677
56,910
TedCzech said:
Saw today that Woodley is playing matchmaker, saying Thompson needs to fight someone like Rory before getting a title shot. ... wait so Thompson has to beat the guy that Woodley lost to?
Click to expand...
Well someone has to beat him and it isn't going to be Tyron.
 
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