Lawler retains welterweight title with thrilling victory over Condit

New year, same king.

Robbie Lawler waded through the pits of hell for five rounds against Carlos Condit in the main event of UFC 195 on Saturday night, and after 25 minutes of breathtaking combinations, thigh-shredding leg kicks, and brain-scrambling hooks, the "Ruthless" one emerged with the welterweight title strapped around his waist.

He almost didn't, though. In fact, a very strong argument can be made that Condit should've flown back to New Mexico with the 170-pound strap draped over his shoulder.

Using high-volume combinations and a dizzying arsenal of creative strikes, the aptly named "Natural Born Killer" outworked and easily outlanded Lawler during long stretches of the scintillating affair, as Condit's offensive brilliance was occasionally interrupted by the champion's terrifying power.

Aside from a hellacious right hand in the second stanza that sent Condit careening to the canvas, the Jackson-Wink product looked to be in control heading into the fifth and final round. Unfortunately for him, a man with Lawler's explosive power and iron chin is virtually impossible to control.

Lawler came out like a man possessed to start the fifth, and they proceeded to engage in a violent, high-stakes game of fist chicken that seemed to favor the champion ever so slightly, allowing him to sneak by the tougher-than-a-$3-steak Condit via controversial split decision.

Sure, we're only two days into 2016, but this will no doubt go down as one of the fights of the year come December. And yes, there must be a rematch.