It may be the first UFC event of 2016 but when welterweight champion Robbie Lawler and Carlos Condit collide early on Sunday morning (card starts 05:00) in Las Vegas, we could well be looking at a ‘Fight of the Year’ contender already.

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Of course, that will be something Lawler is keen to avoid having taken that honour last year for his legendary win over Rory MacDonald. The 33-year-old defends his belt at UFC 195 against Condit in a clash that feels like a bit of a late Christmas gift to MMA fans.

Though supporters are delighted to see a bout between two fighters with styles that have made them fans favourites it’s not one they expected. Condit has only fought once in the past 21 months and has lost to fellow contenders Tyron Woodley and Johny Hendricks in recent years.

Both are likely to get their shots at the belt soon but for now Condit will have what is likely to be his last shot at the title having lost out to Georges St-Pierre in 2012.

Make no mistake, while Lawler has the edge in power, Condit is still extremely crafty and second to none in terms of cage generalship. And we could see this one play out in a similar fashion to Lawler’s last outing against MacDonald, though, he hopes that’s not the case.

“Here’s the thing, those fights… my game plan is always to go in there and dominate,” Lawler said earlier this month at UFC 194. “That’s always the plan, that’s how I train, I’m going to be sharp and ferocious and not get into wars.

“He’s (Rory MacDonald) one of those guys who comes from one of the best camps in the world and is a highly-trained athlete. “He pushed himself to the limit and was willing to get in there and battle, it just wasn’t his night.

“Condit is just the same. He’s a guy who comes from one of the best camps in the world, he’s welltrained, lot of heart, lot of grit, and he’s one of those guys who comes to fight. So do I, though.”

And ‘The Natural Born Killer’ is of a similar opinion.

“Previous kings and alpha males have retired and there are a bunch of young, hungry guys trying to take that top spot,” said Condit. “The competitors in the division right now are just straight killers. The top 15 is a murderers’ row.

“The consensus I’m getting is that this fight is going to be an amazing display of mixed martial arts ability – and violence. I feel like that’s one of the reasons I, personally, have a fan following. I’m not super polished. Things don’t always go my way in the cage. But no matter what, I’m trying to finish.”

Both champion and challenger have spoken at length about the “fireworks”, now it’s time for UFC’s New Year celebration to begin.