KEY POINTS

  • Lawler will return to the octagon for the first time since UFC 201 where he lost his title to Tyron Woodley.
  • Cerrone has a 4-1 record since moving up from lightweight to welterweight.

Robbie Lawler is set to return to the octagon as UFC president Dana White confirmed the fighter will face Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone at UFC 213 in the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas during International Fight Week.

The former welterweight champion, known for his entertaining but brutal fights, last fought at UFC 201 in August 2016 where he lost his title to Tyron Woodley via a first round KO.

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Before the event, Lawler, who has a 27-11 record in MMA, was on a five fight win streak and had beaten the likes of Johny Hendricks, Rory MacDonald and Carlos Condit.

The 35-year-old was originally supposed to face Cerrone at UFC 205 in November 2016, but it was scrapped as Lawler required more time off to recover from his loss to Woodley.

Nearly eight months on since his last fight, many wondered what would be next for "Ruthless" with former lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos notably being open to a fight with him in a welterweight bout.

However, White confirmed to ESPN's Brett Okamoto that a fight between Lawler and Cerrone is now a done deal for UFC 213 which takes place 8 July.

Robbie Lawler
Lawler's last fight was against Tyron Woodley when he lost his welterweight title at UFC 201 Getty

Cerrone (who's MMA record is 32-8) is also regarded as an entertaining fighter and moved up from lightweight to welterweight as recently as February 2016, winning his first four fights via stoppage.

However, a second round TKO loss to Jorge Masvidal at UFC Denver in January 2017 brought "Cowboy" his first loss since December 2015.

The welterweight bout is a stand-out fight in what will be a jam-packed International Fight Week with UFC Fight Night taking place on 6 July, The Ultimate Fighter 25 finale on 7 July and UFC 213 capping things off on 8 July.

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