Robbie Lawler vs Carlos Condit to headline UFC 193 in Melbourne

THE headline acts for UFC 193 in Melbourne in November have been confirmed in exciting news for Aussie mixed martial arts fans.

UFC headliners for Melbourne named

THERE’S still no confirmed venue but the first fight for the UFC 193 card in Melbourne has been announced — and it’s exciting for mixed martial arts fans.

Welterweight champion Robbie Lawler will defend his belt against former interim titleholder Carlos Condit in what promises to be one of the most action-packed fights of the year.

Lawler (26-10) is already a contender for Fight of the Year honours for his incredible comeback victory against Rory MacDonald at UFC 189 in July. Defending his title for the first time after taking it from Johny Hendricks in 2014, Lawler trailed 3-1 on the scorecards entering the final round, but he finished MacDonald with a flurry of punches one minute into the fifth to take the win.

Condit (30-8) also has a reputation for exciting encounters — only two of the 30 opponents he’s defeated in his career have managed to last the distance.

Condit became interim champion by defeating Nick Diaz in 2012 before being outpointed by Georges St-Pierre later that year. He suffered a torn ACL in his knee in March last year in a fight against Tyron Woodley and spent 14 months on the sidelines.

But he returned with a vengeance in May this year, stopping Thiago Alves in Brazil to earn his shot against Lawler.

The match-up was described as a “bit of a surprise” by Bleacher Report’s lead MMA writer Jeremy Botter. “Many expected Lawler to defend his championship against Hendricks. The two have already fought twice, with each scoring a close victory,” Botter wrote. “Hendricks has been vocal about wanting the next title shot, and it seemed a lock that he would be the man to face Lawler next.”

Carlos Condit.

Robbie Lawler

The next step for the UFC is to decide whether Etihad Stadium or Rod Laver Arena will host the November 14 card. There are a host of Australian mixed martial artists — including heavyweight Mark Hunt, middleweight Robert Whittaker and lightweight Jake Matthews — hoping to be included.

Michael Bisping — who defeated Thales Leites on a card he headlined in Glasgow last month — has been rumoured as a potential opponent for Whittaker.

Originally published as Robbie Lawler vs Carlos Condit to headline UFC 193 in Melbourne