Lawler thwarts Condit, keeps UFC welter title

MANILA, Philippines - Robbie Lawler successfully defended his Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight crown by edging Carlos Condit via a bruising split decision yesterday at UFC 195 at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The 33-year-old Lawler, who has a Filipino blood, won on two judges’ scorecards, 48-47, and lost in the other, 47-48, in one of the closest championship fights in history decided by a ferocious fifth and final round assault launched by the fighter aptly nicknamed “Ruthless.”

Condit (30-9) landed 120 more strikes and wobbled the champion multiple times, but Lawler’s power did enough damage to win three rounds on two judges’ scorecards.

It was Lawler’s second successful title defense after beating Rory MacDonald at UFC 189 last July also in Las Vegas to improve to 27-10 (win-loss) with 1 NC (No Contest). Condit, 31, fell to 30-9.

“There was two winners tonight, and let’s do it again,” Lawler said after the decision. “He had a great game plan, we battled it out.”

Condit, for his part, told UFC.com that he felt he had won the fight.

“I felt like I had three rounds in the bag, but that’s why you don’t leave it to the judges,” he said.