One card’s loss is another’s gain.
A highly-anticipated matchup between welterweight newcomer Ben Askren and former UFC champion Robbie Lawler has been rescheduled for March 2 at UFC 235 in Las Vegas, Nev. The fight was initially set for Jan. 26 at UFC 233 in Anaheim, Calif., however it was left without a home following the Wednesday cancellation of that event. The UFC announced the rescheduled booking for UFC 235 on Thursday.
Askren (18-0, 1 NC) is one of the best active fighters to never compete in the UFC. A former Bellator and ONE Championship titleholder, the undefeated Olympian has dominated virtually every opponent he has faced. Included in his résumé are victories over Douglas Lima, Shinya Aoki, and Andrey Koreshkov. He arrived in the UFC as a result of the historic “trade” between the promotion and ONE Championship for Demetrious Johnson.
Lawler (28-12, 1 NC) has not competed since a Dec. 2017 loss to Rafael dos Anjos. A former UFC welterweight champion, “Ruthless” is one of the most tenured fighters in the UFC today, having debuted in the promotion in 2002. He carries notable victories over Johny Hendricks, Rory MacDonald (x2), Carlos Condit, and Donald Cerrone, among many others.
UFC 235 takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. A main event for the card has yet to be decided.
