Hendricks versus Lawler II

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On March 15, Johny Hendricks defeated Robbie Lawler by unanimous decision to win the vacant UFC welterweight championship. And less than a year later, the two will square off once again. Their first bout was easily a contender for Fight of the Year, and the rematch should not disappoint. Here, the two fighters answered The Mag's questions about their classic bout and what they learned from it, heading into the sequel at UFC 181 this Saturday.

What's different between a rematch than a first-time bout?

Johny Hendricks: This is going to be a huge step in my career because this will be my first rematch. I re-watched the match, and that let me make corrections. And I know he's going to make corrections, so what can I do to make my offense land better?

Robbie Lawler: In a rematch, you know what it feels like to fight that opponent. You know who your opponent is. You've been in there and felt him so it's a little easier.

Ultimately, why was the outcome what it was?

Hendricks: Going into the fifth round I knew it was 2-2. That was when I saw my wife in the corner and I knew I had to win this round to get my hand raised. It wasn't so much that I came back from a round where I got my butt kicked, it was how I could dig deep in that last round. 

Lawler: He did a better job of competing. I need to compete a little more and not always just look for the knockout. I like knocking people out. But I need to win, dominate, beat them up and concentrate on winning rounds when I can't get a knockout.

Do you feel different about an opponent personally heading into a rematch?

Hendricks: On a personal level, Robbie is a nice guy. We talked after the fight and [we] said it was a heck of a fight. I don't have any beef with anyone I fight, because I don't look at this as a job. It's fun. I'm getting ready to compete against a very talented fighter.

Lawler: No, I don't really dabble into that. I don't think of him as anything other than an opponent right now. I'm just thinking X's and O's, figuring out how to beat him up. I'm not really thinking about whether or not I have any bond with him.

How many times have you watched the first fight?

Hendricks: I've probably watched it five or six times with my team. I enjoy watching it because there are a lot of things I did wrong [Hendricks had an undisclosed torn right biceps prior to the fight] and it made me a better fighter. I actually don't think about who I'm fighting much, I'm focused on me.

Lawler: I've only watched it twice, so I guess I don't enjoy watching it. (Laughs.) I watched it the week after and then probably three weeks ago. My coach wanted me to watch it the first time just to see the mistakes I made and how close I was to winning the title.

Do you remember everything clearly or does the chaos and intensity of a fight make it hard to remember the finer details?

Hendricks: I do remember what it felt like. I remember some of my combinations and what I could and couldn't do. And that's what you sit down and address with your coaches. I couldn't do this in the first fight, why not? That's sort of what's nice about me. I don't have a good memory in other things that I do but when it comes to competing, I have that kind of memory. I can remember, whenever I did this, he reacted this way.

Lawler: No, I remember a lot of the details. Plus my coaches and training partners have been putting me in situations from the first fight so that I'm stronger in them. I'm growing and pushing myself to be more technical in those positions

In a rematch, is there a psychological advantage on either side?

Hendricks: I don't think there is. You've got to say, "This guy's coming for blood this time. He's coming with everything he has. What can I do to defeat that?" That's what I'm working on right now for Robbie.

Lawler: I think if either guy is strong, he can have a mental advantage in a rematch. I believe in myself. He believes in himself. That's what's so exciting about this. Each of us probably thinks we're the better fighter. That's what's going to be exciting about Dec. 6.

What's your favorite moment from the first fight?

Hendricks: My favorite moment is the fifth round, sort of how I had my back against the wall. Robbie came out trying to get off and do his thing. Whenever I was able to change that moment, change that momentum, when I started landing some good shots and started moving a little better -- [that] is my favorite moment of the fight. That's when I was able to win the fight.

Lawler: No, I just think I enjoyed myself. I enjoyed fighting in the UFC and fighting for a world title. I wanted to enjoy myself. I told myself to do that. It was a hard-fought battle and the one thing I can say is that I enjoyed competing. As far as one moment? Nothing I would want to talk about before this rematch. I'm just focused on moving forward ... just thinking about the future.