Lawler is overrated. He overachieved with some favorable matchups, but he's always been a fairly one dimensional fighter with bad defense.
He didn't look good even before the injury and he's definitely no longer a contender.
Lawler becoming champ is like Woodley and Bisping becoming champ. Mostly the stars aligned for a brief period.
If Woodley can't beat Covington convincingly he might become one of the weakest champs in history.
I believe Shields could come back and be champ. He would dominate Covington and he already beat Woodley. Covington has no business fighting for the belt.
He didn't look good even before the injury and he's definitely no longer a contender.
Lawler becoming champ is like Woodley and Bisping becoming champ. Mostly the stars aligned for a brief period.
If Woodley can't beat Covington convincingly he might become one of the weakest champs in history.
I believe Shields could come back and be champ. He would dominate Covington and he already beat Woodley. Covington has no business fighting for the belt.