UFC 171: Johny Hendricks wins welterweight title in instant classic

Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler ushered in the the post-Georges St-Pierre era with a spectacular 25-minute war that culminated in Hendricks capturing the 170-pound title. A title he thought he had already earned in November.

Both men stood in front of each other in an almost sadistic game of chicken. Hendricks controlled the first two rounds with a more complete game plan, mixing effective leg kicks with crisp boxing. Lawler came to life in the third and fourth stanzas, bloodying up "Bigg Rigg" with accurate power punches, wobbling the two-time NCAA Division 1 wrestling champ multiple times, likely coming within an inch of separating Hendricks from his consciousness.

Hendricks, in a fight that was likely tied at two rounds apiece, sealed the deal with a solid final frame, out-landing Lawler on the feet before hitting a fight-clinching double-leg with just over a minute left in the contest.

Instant. Classic.