Robbie Lawler: If They Scored Damage, I’d Be The Champ Right Now
UFC welterweight Robbie Lawler has had a long and violent career, from his early UFC knockouts, to his flying knee in Pride FC and his knockouts in Strikeforce, Lawler truly lives up to his nickname ‘Ruthless’. Since re-joining the UFC, Lawler has looked a lot more technical and rounded, and has scored a 3-1 record since 2013.
After failing in his title attempt against Johny Hendricks at UFC 169, Lawler has been booked in to a high profile bout with Jake Ellenberger at UFC 173. The bout could well be the tipping point for both men’s aspirations for a title shot, and Lawler sat down with UFC.com to discuss his most recent loss to ‘Bigg Rigg’:
“I was ready to fight, it’s as simple as that,” he says. “I told (UFC matchmaker) Joe Silva I wanted to get back in as soon as possible. I didn’t take any damage against Hendricks, so why not? I did the most damage in that fight, but I lost. He did a good job in winning enough rounds I guess. It’s not PRIDE. They don’t score damage in the UFC. If they did, I would be the champ today. Now I just have to work my way back, but I’m not thinking about Hendricks anymore. I’m thinking about Jake,”
The fight against Hendricks was very close, and it really could have gone to either man. As a result of the loss, ‘Ruthless’ finds himself once again battling a hard-hitting welterweight in ‘The Juggernaut’, but then all of the guys at 170 pounds have no problems packing as hard punch. Lawler continued:
“I’m leaner now than I’ve ever been before weigh-ins,” he said. “Fighting at 170 is good for me. It keeps me eating clean and in the gym, so I am living like a welterweight instead of a middleweight. I’ve taken my game up a couple of notches, but I’m constantly learning new things in this sport. I’m having fun, yeah,” says Lawler. “I’m looking forward to putting on a great show for the fans, especially the veterans on Memorial Day weekend.”
There is no doubt in my mind that Lawler is a better fighter at welterweight, and he came so close to being the champion of the division. In what could have been the feel good story of the year, ‘Ruthless’ fell mere inches short. In closing, Lawler gave a summary of his motivation in the modern age of MMA:
“I want the belt,” says Lawler. “But at the same time it’s not something I think about all the time. I just focus on myself and getting better.”
Clearly in a much better mind set than his younger days, do you think the new and improved version of Lawler will become the next champion of the welterweight division?
