What’s Next For Robbie Lawler after loss to Rafael dos Anjos at UFC on FOX 26?

Another weekend of fisticuffs has come and gone as UFC on FOX 26 blew the roof off Bell MTS Place this past Saturday night (Dec. 16, 2017) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Plenty of fighters were left licking their wounds, including Mike Perry, who was schooled by Santiago Ponzinibbio’s striking (recap here). And Ricardo Lamas, who was upset by Josh Emmett and his powerful punch in the very first round (see it).

But which fighter is suffering from the worst -post-fight hangover, now 48 hours removed from the show?

Robbie Lawler.

After getting back on the winning track in his previous bout against Donald Cerrone, “Ruthless” was on the cusp of getting the opportunity to reclaim the strap he lost to Tyron Woodley at UFC 201 if he could manage to take out the former Lightweight champion, Rafael dos Anjos.

Unfortunately for Robbie, he didn’t count on a encountering a very hungry “RDA” to show up the way he did, as he took it to the former champion the way many before him have failed to do, at one point pinning him up against the cage and absolutely wailing on him with non-stop strikes to the body and head.

Indeed, dos Anjos had his way with Lawler peppering him on the feet with a diverse striking attack, which included much-improved boxing and leg kicks that mauled his opponent’s lead leg. In the end, the judges gave “RDA” the obvious unanimous decision. While Rafael can look ahead to a title fight, Robbie’s future looks a bit gloomier.

Afterward, the hard-hitting brawler didn’t have much to say at the press conference. But hey, at least he showed up. Plus, Lawler has never been a man of many words. Up next, I’d like to see UFC matchmakers pit Robbie against Demian Maia.

Maia — the former No. 1 division contender — has dropped two in a row, losing to Tyron Woodley at UFC 214 and more recently getting manhandled by Colby Covington in his home country of Brazil.

It’s an interesting matchup to say the least, as Maia has made his living on the ground, turning his foe into pretzels, while Robbie has taken out one contender after another on the feet. Both men need a win in a big way, and either man can get right back into the middle of the pack with a win over the other.

Unless, of course, you have a better idea?

For complete UFC on FOX 26 results and coverage click here.