UFC 181: Top Twitter Reactions To Johny Hendricks’ Loss Over Robbie Lawler; Lawler Reflects On Victory

Johny Hendricks waited a long time to win a welterweight belt, but Robbie Lawler upset him to win the title by split decision at UFC 181 in Las Vegas on Dec. 6. Judges Marco Rosales, 48-47, and Glenn Townbridge, 49-46, scored the bout for Lawler, while judge Sal D'Amato had the bout for Hendricks.

Lawler was doing great in the opening rounds, using his knees to hit Hendricks' body and head, but he seemed to have struggled to keep the momentum in the second and third rounds. Hendricks, on the other hand, threw his combinations with straight left and right hook and leg kicks.

In the final round, Hendricks hanged onto Lawler in a single leg attempt, but he seemed to have gotten exhausted, forcing referee Herb Dean to break and restart the action a few times. Lawler persistently pursued Hendricks around the octagon ring, throwing punches and kicks with less than a minute remaining in the last round, and eventually walked away with the title. Check out the top reactions to Lawler's title upset over Hendricks.

And the new

— Hector Lombard (@HectorLombard) December 7, 2014

WHAT?!?!?!?!? How did lawler get the split decision win?!?!? That's insane!!!! #ufc181

— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) December 7, 2014

Congrats @Ruthless_RL quick fact after Robbie is now the champ Robbie is the 1st @Strikeforce guy to win @ufc title fight. Congrats Robbie

— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) December 7, 2014

For the record I believe @JohnyHendricks won the fight. Thought he looked as good as he ever has. Head up COWBOY, u boys got another fight.

— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) December 7, 2014

Well deserved this decision for @Ruthless_RL ___ Bem merecida essa decisão p/ Robie Lawler Congrats Robie @AmericanTopTeam

— Raphael Assuncao (@RaphaAssuncao) December 7, 2014

Wow, didn't have it scored that way.

— Dan Henderson (@danhendo) December 7, 2014

Wait what?

— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) December 7, 2014

Wow. One of the greatest comeback stories in UFC history is complete. Robbie Lawler is a UFC champion, finally.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) December 7, 2014

Congrat @Ruthless_RL on winning the #WelterweightTitle @ufc @AmericanTopTeam #attnation 1st #UFC title 4 ATT! Couldnt happen to a better guy

— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) December 7, 2014

O M GOSH!!!!!!!!! R u kidding me!!!! @UFC #UFC181 @JohnyHendricks won that fight! But way to stay in it #RobbieLawlor

— Mark Muñoz (@mark_munoz) December 7, 2014

Congratulations to @Ruthless_RL on winning the title. I'm looking forward to seeing him & @JohnyHendricks in RD 11.

— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) December 7, 2014

Congrats @Ruthless_RL you epitomize what it means to be a fighter and deserve to be champion. #UFC181

— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) December 7, 2014

Sorry I like Lawler but Johnny Hendricks clearly won that fight. He won the first 4 rds. @ufc

— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) December 7, 2014

Wow. Is there any criteria for being a judge? Like vision or maybe common sense?

— Phil Davis (@PhilMrWonderful) December 7, 2014

The worst decision in @UFC history!' #facts

— BrutalJohnnyBedford (@BrutalBedford) December 7, 2014

Lawler Speaks On His Victory

Lawler is fighting out of American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida. Speaking after the fight, Lawler said it has been an amazing journey.

"There are a lot of guys behind me," Lawler said as quoted by ESPN. "Thanks to the fans; this wasn't easy."

Lawler said that he knew that he needed to try to deliver more and make Hendricks fight him. He said that it was what he has been told. Lawler added that he wanted to continue to fight for as long as he could to win the title.

Lawler is set to face Rory MacDonald next. MacDonald was reportedly pretty pleased with the fight and said that he scored it in favour of Lawler and admitted that he will be ready to face the new champ in the octagon ring, which is said to take place in Canada.