Robbie Lawler Won’t Dwell On Loss To Johny Hendricks, Expects Best Version Of Jake Ellenberger
No. 1-ranked UFC welterweight Robbie Lawler has experienced a massive career resurgence in his latest UFC stint, winning three out of four bouts since returning to the Octagon at UFC 157 in February 2013. Despite losing a narrow decision to Johny Hendricks for the belt at UFC 171 on March 15, Lawler is undeterred and highly motivated at 32 years old.
Fighting in the UFC since the ripe young age of 20, Lawler has seen it all during his 13-year MMA career. The former Superbrawl, Icon Sport, and EliteXC middleweight champion has also fallen victim to coasting, relying on his thunderous knockout power and not much else during a lackluster 3-5 stint in Strikeforce from 2009-2012.
But like his loss to Hendricks, which he felt he could have finished by pushing the pace a bit more, Lawler isn’t letting his past shape his future. He recently spoke up to FOX Sports about his forward thinking attitude, noting that all he can do is get better:
“I don’t really dwell on those things. I just want to get better. That’s what it comes down to. I lost the fight, it was a close fight, it was a good fight, I did a lot of damage, but when push comes to shove I need to get better to be able to fight at a higher level and that’s what I want to do, so that’s why I got right back in there.”
The brawling knockout artist got back into the gym just two days after losing to Hendricks, and quickly signed on to face No. 5-ranked Jake Ellenberger at this Saturday’s (May 24, 2014) UFC 173 from Las Vegas. While many fighters in the UFC have been trying to pick and choose their opponent, Lawler just wants to fight:
“I let them know I was ready to fight and then they gave me an opponent and I said okay. That’s just the way it worked out. It wasn’t like I was picking and choosing and doing those kinds of things. He’s a hell of an opponent, he’s a high level opponent, and he’s dangerous.”
There’s no doubt Ellenberger is dangerous, but for all his hype and fanfare, “The Juggernaut” hasn’t won a fight since he finished quickly fading Nate Marquardt back at UFC 158 in March 2013. His last showing was an uninspired UFC on FOX 8 decision loss to Rory MacDonald, a bout that was largely derided as one of the worst fights of last year.
However, while it’s Lawler that holds the No. 1 ranking, “Ruthless” fully expects to face the very best version of Ellenberger this weekend:
“Obviously, I’m ranked No. 1 in the UFC, but I just need to go out there and let everyone know why that is. I expect a really good opponent. A guy who hasn’t fought in a while so he’s had time to improve, time to get his mind ready to go and get his body ready. I expect the best Jake Ellenberger that anyone’s ever seen.”
Ellenberger’s time off may help or hinder him; we’ll just have to wait and see. But while that may be up in the air right now, it’s become clear that we are witnessing the best version of “Ruthless” we’ve ever seen.
Will that translate into another title shot for the hungry veteran from the Midwest?
Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie for USA TODAY Sports
