MMA analysts break down Robbie Lawler v Tyron Woodley at UFC 201

IN a remarkable 12-month spell we’ve seen UFC champions lose their titles in an incredible run of form in favour of title challengers.

Brazilians Jose Aldo, Fabricio Werdum and Rafael dos Anjos all lost their UFC titles in the past year, while Americans Johny Hendricks, Jon Jones, Chris Weidman, Luke Rockhold, Ronda Rousey, Holly Holm and TJ Dillashaw also saw their respective title reigns cut short.

So, will the same fate befall another American, ‘Ruthess’ Robbie Lawler, on Saturday night?

If Lawler successfully negotiates his title battle with Tyron Woodley at UFC 201, he’ll not only claim a hat-trick of UFC title defences, but he’ll join Joanna Jedrzejczyk in joint-second place in the list of most title defences for a current UFC champion.

Demetrious 'Mighty Mouse' Johnson has that list sewn up, thanks to a run of dominance that stretches to four years and eight successive title defences.

But Lawler plans on being every bit as dominant at 170lbs, and after thrilling decision victories against Rory MacDonald and Carlos Condit, Lawler plans on finishing things inside the distance against American Top Team colleague Woodley, who has had to move his training camp out to Milwaukee's Roufusport gym in preparation for the teammate versus teammate title clash.

Can Lawler claim a hat-trick of title defences, or will Woodley continue the trend of title fight upsets with another underdog victory?

Watch the action live on BT Sport 2 from 1am on Saturday night, with the early prelims going live on UFC Fight Pass from 11:30pm.