Tyron Woodley and Robbie Lawler both suffered defeats at UFC 235 earlier this month and neither one will be getting a rematch in their return to the Octagon. Instead, the two former welterweight champions will meet for a rematch as the headline for UFC Fight Night on June 29 in Minneapolis.
UFC president Dana White confirmed the 170-pound bout, which is a rematch of their 2016 title fight at UFC 201. Woodley knocked out Robbie Lawler in the first round to claim the welterweight belt.
Woodley (19-4-1) went on to defend the title in four straight fights before his nearly three-year reign as welterweight champion came to an end earlier this month. He
lost the belt to Kamaru Usman at UFC 235 in what many viewed as a one-sided fight. Though it went all five rounds, Usman won by unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-45). Woodley had hoped he had done enough as champion to warrant an immediate rematch, but apparently, the UFC has different plans.
Lawler (28-13) is also
coming off a loss at UFC 235 against newcomer Ben Askren, though his was far more controversial. Askren had caught Lawler in a bulldog choke and the referee stopped the fight when Lawler's hand appeared to go limp. However, once the fight was called and Askren let up, Lawler immediately popped up in shock, suggesting he hadn't been out.
Replays were inconclusive in determining if Lawler ever lost consciousness and UFC president Dana White called it an early stoppage. Lawler called for a rematch, and it seemed White was on board for that as well, but Ben Askren repeatedly stated he had no desire to fighter Lawler again as it offered him no real benefit in moving up in the ranks.
So what we're left with is an intriguing rematch between two former champions. Tyron Woodley and Robbie Lawler will meet as the main event of UFC Fight Night on June 29.