Funky, meet Ruthless.@Ruthless_RL welcomes @BenAskren to the Octagon at #UFC233 in Anaheim! pic.twitter.com/IFFxeGHdxw
— UFC (@ufc) November 28, 2018
The undefeated former Bellator MMA and One Championship welterweight titleholder will face off against former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler at UFC 233 in January.
Askren (18-0, 1 NC) joined the UFC from One Championship last month in a de facto trade deal with former UFC flyweight king Demetrious Johnson heading the other way. Lawler (28-12, 1 NC) has not fought since his main event bout with former lightweight champ Rafael dos Anjos at UFC on Fox 26 last December, where he lost via unanimous decision. Lawler suffered a torn ACL during the fight and has been undergoing rehabilitation this year.
UFC 233 will be headlined by bantamweight champ T.J. Dillashaw heading down a division to challenge flyweight champ Henry Cejudo.