The UFC officially announced today that new welterweight addition Ben Askren (18-0-0, 1NC)Â will make his debut against former champion Robbie Lawler (28-12-0, 1NC) at Anaheim’s UFC 233 in January.
Crossfire Vault – Demetrious Johnson eager to ‘earn my way’ to ONE flyweight belt
Crossfire Vault – ONE Championship signs Demetrious Johnson
The bout was first previously reported by ESPN’s Brett Okamoto in November.
Lots of welterweights breathing easy right about now. Don’t worry your times will come! https://t.co/8xDJwIC7VZ
— Bitcoin Ben (@Benaskren) November 6, 2018
Askren, was part of a historic trade in late October between the UFC and ONE Championship, where he was the welterweight champ. ONE received former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson in return. He is undefeated in 19 bouts, with one no-contest. He was cageside at UFC 230.
Well there we go! https://t.co/HGb0DwOvtu
— Bitcoin Ben (@Benaskren) November 28, 2018
Meanwhile, Lawler, 36, has lost two of his last three bouts, including a decision loss to Rafael dos Anjos in his last fight at UFC on FOX 26 in December 2017. He is returning from a torn ACL suffered in the bout.
UFC 233 is scheduled for Jan. 26 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Tentative bouts currently include:
Henry Cejudo (13-2-0) vs. T.J. Dillashaw (16-3-0)
Paul Felder (15-4-0) vs. James Vick (13-2-0)
Joanne Calderwood (12-3-0) vs. Ariane Lipski (11-3-0)
Ben Askren (18-0-0, 1NC) vs. Robbie Lawler (28-12-0, 1NC)
Yana Kunitskaya (11-4-0)Â vs. Marion Reneau (9-4-1)
