Pinoy brawler eyes win in UFC

MANILA, Philippines - Robbie Lawler tries again to become the first fighter with Filipino blood to win an Ultimate Fighting Championship title as he faces off with old tormentor Johnny Hendricks in UFC 81 in Las Vegas, Nevada today.

Lawler, who is of Filipino and Anglo-American descent, blew his first chance at winning a title after he lost to Hendricks on March 15 this year in Dallas, Texas for the vacant welterweight crown.

After the fight that went to the full five-round route, Lawler appeared to have the upperhand but when the judges’ scorecards came out, he lost a close split decision that crowned Hendricks the new 170-pound king.

Lawler hopes to win it this time.

“When you leave it up to the judges that happens, but Johnny is a competitor and Johnny knows how to win,” Lawler told UFC.com.

“That’s what I need to do. I need to figure out a way to win rounds and dominate the fight so that it’s my hand that is raised at the end. I worked on a lot of things since our first fight and I’m physically and mentally ready to go. I’m coming in fully ready to dominate.”