The upcoming welterweight bout between Robbie Lawler and Rafael dos Anjos just got bigger.
At the UFC 217 press conference in Toronto, Dana White confirmed that the winner of the bout will receive a title shot against current champion Tyron Woodley. No interim title necessary.
Lawler and dos Anjos headline the Dec. 16 UFC on FOX event from Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Lawler, the former welterweight champion, defeated Donald Cerrone by unanimous decision in July at UFC 214. It was his first fight since losing the belt to Woodley at UFC 201. Meanwhile, Dos Anjos is coming off back-to-back victories over Tarec Saffiedine and Neil Magny. He moved up to welterweight following losing the lightweight title to Eddie Alvarez and a subsequent loss to current lightweight interim champion Tony Ferguson.
Dos Anjos was hoping an interim title would be attached to the Dec. 16 main event in light of Woodley being sidelined with a torn labrum in his shoulder. Woodley, who is scheduled to return to action in 2018, noted that he’s been an active champion and that dos Anjos should worry about Lawler before titles.
Woodley last defend his title in July, cruising to a unanimous decision victory over Demian Maia. Woodley thought he was in line for a fight against Georges St. Pierre prior to the bout, but his performance caused Dana White and the UFC to move forward with St. Pierre vs. Michael Bisping at UFC 217.
Now, Woodley will return to action against the Lawler-dos Anjos victor.