Lawler and Hendricks to complete UFC trilogy

Brett Okamoto

January 3, 2015

Johny Hendricks lost the UFC welterweight title to Robbie Lawler, right, last month © Getty Images

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Newly crowned UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler's first title defence will be against Johny Hendricks.

UFC president Dana White has confirmed the planned bout in what will be the third meeting between the two welterweights.

Hendricks (16-3) defeated Lawler (25-10) via unanimous decision to win the vacant 170-pound title in March. Lawler narrowly beat Hendricks in a rematch last month at UFC 181, claiming the belt via split decision.

White had previously announced Rory MacDonald would fight the winner of the last month's title bout, but the promotion decided to change course after a second close fight between the two.

"We just feel like the trilogy makes sense," White said. "Do the third fight between these two."

Lawler has also beaten MacDonald in one previous meeting. He outpointed the Canadian in a split decision win at UFC 167 in November 2013.

The UFC had reserved a date at Montreal's Bell Centre on March 14. White said the promotion still plans to host a live event in Montreal in early 2015, but it appears unlikely it will occur on the March 14 date.

Sources have told ESPN the UFC now plans to host a pay-per-view event in Montreal on April 25. The March 14 card has been moved to Dallas.

This article originally appeared on ESPN.com