Lawler: A lot of years of hard work in the gym paid off
Robbie Lawler: “I really had to dig deep. It didn’t just happen today, it was a lot of years of hard work in the gym and it paid off. This is awesome.”
The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses – behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights.
-Muhammad Ali
New UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler appeared on UFC 181 post-fight show on FOX Sports 1 and talked with host Jon Anik and analysts Michael Bisping and Kenny Florian about the fight.
I thought I was going to dominate and knock him out, but he’s tough and it was a hell of a fight once again,” said Lawler.
The plan was to get out there and beat him up, stuff his takedowns and make him pay. I did a good job creating damage, dirty boxing and beating him up. I feel like I won it.
He does a lot of good things. He mixes things up well. He’s crafty and you have to fight him smart and try to win.
“He finished a lot stronger at the end and got the victory (in the last fight) and I wanted to finish him and I really tried to beat him up at the end. I wanted to be the better guy at the end.
I really had to dig deep. It didn’t just happen today, it was a lot of years of hard work in the gym and it paid off. This is awesome. There’s a lot of people behind me. This isn’t just about me. ATT was behind me the whole way. I’ve been there for two years and look at me today.
Scoring for the fight was controversial. UFC president Dana White, no stranger to controversy, summed it up well, borrowing from his matchmaker.
I tell these guys all the time – don’t leave it in the hands of the judges,” said White. “I thought Johny looked good standing up, but he kept trying to take him down and waste time.
I’m done scoring fights. I started talking to a lot of the fighters here on who won and they were all split. Joe Silva said you can’t win a fight with your head between someone’s legs for three rounds.