Lawler: It’s hard without Hughes help

UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes and former UFC welterweight Robbie Lawler were once Miletich Martial Arts stars; Hughes became something of a mentor to Lawler, and that continued after the team disbanded. On June 16 Hughes was in a pickup truck that was hit by a train, and he remains in hospital.

His presence is missed.

“It’s been hard, said Lawler at the UFC 214 media day on Thursday, as transcribed by Marc Raimondi for MMA Fighting. He’s usually here with us right by our side, hanging out, making sure I’m alright. It is what it is. He’s doing better, but that’s something his family should talk about and let the media know through their outlets, not mine.

Lawler has not even been able to visit Hughes, as he was supposed to fight Donald Cerrone at UFC 213, but it was delayed until UFC 214 Saturday night when ‘Cowboy’ got staph and was injured.

It’s been hard, Lawler said. And forcing it to this date forced me not to be able to go when I wanted to go.

It’s not on my mind until like somebody asks me. Because I’m pretty good at focusing on what I need to focus on. But yeah. It’s rough.

This is Lawler’s first fight since losing the welterweight title to Tyron Woodley at UFC 201 last August. Woodley will be defending that title vs. Demian Maia on Saturday; Lawler was asked if that’s a motivating factor.

That’s hilarious, replied Lawler. Like, getting motivated by that — I’m motivated to beat somebody’s ass. And I’m not gonna be more motivated because there’s this. I used to fight for free. I fought 40 times for free. ‘Is that motivating you?’ No, I frickin’ enjoyed it, so I don’t need motivation. I’m gonna go all out because that’s how I do it. That’s the only speed that I have.

I just want to fight and the first step is this. You can talk about all this other stuff, three fights down the road, one fight down the road, two fights down the road. Let’s concentrate on Saturday.