Questions lie ahead for Robbie Lawler and Carlos Condit

Before the main event, Miocic likely earned a shot at the UFC heavyweight belt with an opening-minute victory.

In the fifth, Lawler “was where he wanted to be”, Condit said.

At the end of a five-round war, Robbie Lawler edged out a split decision victory over a game Carlos Condit to retain the UFC Welterweight Championship after putting on a stand-up spectacle. Lawler maintained pressure, but ate a left hand that sent him falling to the floor midway through the frame.

And in the immediate aftermath, Condit is pondering whether the fantastic effort we saw on Saturday night will be the last we ever see from him in the Octagon.

On possibly retiring: “It’s not really an emotional thing”.

“I have to evaluate, but yea, there’s a possibility that might be my last one”.

Lawler is set to fight Carlos Condit, who was once the interim champion of the weight class. The fight will be the co-main event of the night, and it has potential to go the distance.

Lawler’s title was unquestionable hanging in the balance going into the final round, and similar to his 2015 “Fight of the Year” with Rory MacDonald in July, somehow mustered he courage to win the fight and successfully defend his championship. If those fights go multiple rounds then the big Welterweight fight won’t start until after midnight EST.

“Carlos is a hell of a fighter and he comes from one of the best camps in the world”, Lawler said. As Dana White, who also gave the fight to Condit has said several times, never leave the fight in the hands of the judges. I don’t know, I came up short and tonight was kind of a do-or-die moment for my career, I feel like.

Another solution Rogan offered was the introduction of more judges to score bigger fights, in order to share the burden of responsibility for making tough decisions.

“I think personally- these are not his words – there is more fight in him. He pushed me. I had to fight my ass off”. When he gets hurt, he continues to go toe-to-toe and Robbie reminds me that he’s our Evander Holyfield.

Lawler tends to be much more of a striker, meaning a TKO could be possible if he is going to win the fight, according to MMA Fighting. It may just be the first event of 2016, but we may already have a fight of the year candidate. It was an awesome way to cap off a pivotal year for the promotion in which they suffered from oversaturation, fighter injuries and controversies.

However, many questioned the decision, with the scoring of the pivotal third round coming under heavy scrutiny. Miocic celebrated his victory by running across the cage to White and UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta, yelling at them to “Give me my shot!”

“I did. It was close though”, he said.