Robbie Lawler will try to turn things around against surging welterweight Santiago Ponzinibbio at UFC 245 in December.
UFC 245 in Las Vegas this December will see Robbie Lawler looking to snap out of a three-fight slump. First reported by MMA Junkie, the former welterweight champ will take on Santiago Ponzinibbio at the event. It’s a marquee name for Argentina’s Ponzinibbio, who has been coming on strong in the welterweight division.
Lawler (28-14, 1NC) has dropped fights to Colby Covington, Ben Askren, and Rafael Dos Anjos in his last three outings. Prior to that, he’d bounced back from losing the 170lb title to Tyron Woodley by defeating Donald Cerrone.
Late-career struggles not withstanding, ‘Ruthless’ Robbie Lawler has had a storied career, fighting nearly all of the best welterweights in his time. Lawler has had classic wars with Rory MacDonald, Johny Hendricks, and Carlos Condit. His Strikeforce stint brought fans match-ups with Jacare Souza and Melvin Manhoef, up at middleweight, while bouts with Nick Diaz and Evan Tanner peppered his first UFC run.
Santiago Ponzinibbio (27-3) will enter the fight on a seven fight win streak in the UFC’s welterweight division. That run includes wins over Neil Magny, Mike Perry, and Gunnar Nelson.
Lawler, however, is the biggest name to date for Ponzinibbio and could thrust him into the title picture, especially with the division up in the air at the moment, with Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington seemingly having fallen apart.
UFC 245 is currently planned for December 14 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. Not Doublin.
