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Lawler beats Brown to set up title rematch

Bobby Green punches Josh Thomson during the first round of a lightweight mixed martial arts bout at a UFC event in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, July 26, 2014. Green won by split decision. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Bobby Green punches Josh Thomson during the first round of a lightweight mixed martial arts bout at a UFC event in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, July 26, 2014. Green won by split decision. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

By Associated Press July 26, 2014 1 min read

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) – Robbie Lawler withstood a flurry of stinging punches by Matt Brown in the fifth round and held on for a unanimous decision Saturday night, setting up a rematch with UFC welterweight champion Johny Hendricks.

Lawler (24-10) led comfortably throughout the fight and was never hit hard until Brown landed four straight punches with just over two minutes remaining. Lawler, the top-ranked contender, smiled then landed a kick to Brown’s stomach. Lawler later absorbed a hard right from the bloodied Brown (21-12) before holding on for his fifth win in the last six fights.

Two judges scored it 49-46 while the third had it 48-47, all for Lawler.

That puts Lawler in line for another shot at the welterweight championship. The 32-year-old lost a unanimous decision to Hendricks on May 15 when the two fought for the vacant title.