UFC 181 LowKick MMA Staff Predictions
Johny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler:
Mike Drahota:
This is a UFC rematch that’s tough not to look forward to, as it’ll be interesting to see how Hendricks responds to fighting off a long layoff and two good arms. Lawler has kept racking up wins since his close decision loss to “Bigg Rigg” in March, and appears the most motivated and in-shape he’s ever been. He’ll also have the hunger advantage here, as Hendricks has now accomplished his main goal in fighting. That could give the edge to “Ruthless,” but overall Hendricks should be able to use his wrestling much more in this bout. Lawler has shown some improved ground defense in recent years, but I don’t think that will be enough to trump an NCAA Division I wrestling champion. I expect this to be another hard-fought war, and I also expect Hendricks to emerge with another close unanimous decision.
Rory Kernaghan:
Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler collide once again, in a rematch of their razor tight UFC 171 FOTY candidate. Only thing is, Lawler has stayed active, Hendricks has been recovering from surgery, and I think the fight will be no different from last time really. Although “Bigg Rigg” has been sidelined and we’ve seen “Ruthless” beat Matt Brown and Jake Ellenberger, I have a feeling that the two are made to fight each other. Much like some of the sports most famous trilogies, I feel it will go to a rubber match to decide this rivalry. That’s right, I’m picking Lawler to defeat Hendricks and become the new welterweight champion by split decision.
Mike Henken:
The first time these two met, it was a very close fight that came down to the final round. I believe Hendricks deserved the win, but I thought Lawler could have easily won if he had done a few things differently. One thing is that “Ruthless” started off very slow, losing the first two rounds only to come out firing in rounds three and four. He also ran out of gas late in the fight which ultimately allowed Hendricks to grab a fifth round takedown and secure the fight. If Lawler can do what he did in the middle rounds of the first fight, using his boxing to light up “Bigg Rigg” right off the bat and maintain that pace for the whole fight, I don’t see why he can’t win. However, Hendricks had a torn bicep in the first fight, which he claims limited his takedown offense. If that is true and Hendricks can take down Lawler more successfully, he may get the job done. However, I see “Ruthless” taking the belt from Hendricks by unanimous decision.
Anthony Pettis vs. Gilbert Melendez:
Mike Drahota:
Most are picking Pettis to run through Melendez in his long-awaited return to the Octagon after a 15-month absence, but I don’t think it’s going to be that cut and dry. Melendez gave Ben Henderson fits in the early rounds of their matchup at UFC on FOX 7, and while he didn’t dominate him like Pettis did at UFC 164, he showed he could hang with the best in the UFC. Pettis, for all his talent, has taken to believing that he should be higher than No. 6 on the pound-for-pound rankings (despite not having fought for 15 months) and calling Anderson Silva’s unfortunate UFC 168 leg break an “amateur mistake” when he tore his PCL in similar fashion. For all his immense talent, Pettis may be drinking his own Kool-Aid a bit, and questions about his wrestling persist. I’m going with the upset; Melendez by split decision.
Rory Kernaghan:
Anthony Pettis returns from another injury (and TUF) related absence in the co-main event, and who better than Gilbert Melendez as the number one (?) contender for his first defense? A tough fight for “El Nino” in my books, who is outmatched pretty much everywhere apart from in the clinch. Expect some brutal head and body kicks from “Showtime”, who will look to re-stamp his authority on the UFC lightweight division. It’s tough to say that Melendez will survive five rounds, and only because he is so damn durable, but, and it’s a big one, anyone can get finished. Perhaps not a clean finish, but a long, grueling, drawn out beating will lead to a fourth round TKO win for Anthony Pettis.
Mike Henken:
This bout is a pretty easy call for me, but only under one condition. That condition is exactly how Anthony Pettis looks returning from a long layoff due to injury. If he comes out looking fresh and like the normal “Showtime,” I think he beats Melendez rather easily. Pettis completely outclasses “El Nino” on the feet and will be too quick with his high-volume unorthodox kicks. Melendez may be able to get Pettis down as the superior grappler, but I don’t think the champ is that overmatched as to where he would be submitted. Again, my prediction completely depends on how healthy “Showtime” is, but I’m going to say Pettis by first round knockout.
Photo Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
