Woodley takes UFC welterweight title from Lawler

LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 31: Tyron Woodley waits for the start of a welterweight bout against Kelvin Gastelum during UFC 183 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on January 31, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Woodley won by split decision.   Steve Marcus/Getty Images/AFP

LAS VEGAS, NV – JANUARY 31: Tyron Woodley waits for the start of a welterweight bout against Kelvin Gastelum during UFC 183 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on January 31, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Woodley won by split decision. Steve Marcus/Getty Images/AFP

ATLANTA — Tyron Woodley took the welterweight champion Robbie Lawler on Saturday night, stopping him with 2:12 left in the first round at UFC 201 at Philips Arena.

The former All-American wrestler at Missouri dropped Lawler with a devastating right hand — after an effective fake — and scored several strikes while Lawler was on the mat and against the cage, leading the referee to call the bout.

Woodley improved to 15-3. Lawler fell to 27-11. He was making his fourth title defense.

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