Lawler’s boxing coach resigns on high note
Matt Pena: “My reasons for stepping away I will keep private right now. The only folks that I feel are entitled to that information are me and Robbie Lawler.”
The focus in combat sports is rightly on the man in the arena. But that doesn’t tell the entire story.
UFC interim featherweight champion Conor McGregor phrased it perfectly, immediately post fight Saturday night.
Now word comes from ESPN Staff Writer Brett Okamoto that Robbie Lawler’s boxing coach Matt Pena has resigned. Pena has coached the UFC welterweight champion since the glory days at Miletich Martial Arts a decade ago. Lawler has been a member of ATT since 2012, but Pena flies in from his home in Salt Lake City, Utah to each camp at Coconut Creek. However, Lawler’s thrilling win over Rory MacDonald at UFC 189 will be Pena last in the champ’s corner.
“It is with deep regret that I’m resigning as boxing coach for Robbie Lawler, ending over 10 years of dedication to the UFC welterweight champion,” said Pena to ESPN. “I have received tremendous satisfaction knowing that I am one of the few that told people years ago that he was the best welterweight in the world.
“There are really only two things left that I’ve wanted to help accomplish in the sport of MMA. One was watching Robbie enter the Hall of Fame, which I’m sure he will at the end of his reign. The only other thing I wanted to do was help him get a win over Georges St-Pierre, who I’m sure will never come back after what he saw on Saturday. So it’s safe to say I’ve done all I can do in this sport as a boxing coach.”
“I would like to thank Pat Miletich, Matt Hughes, Jens Pulver, Tim Sylvia and Spencer Fisher for giving me an opportunity of proving the effectiveness of my grandfather Alvino Pena’s boxing style in the sport of MMA. I’ve helped three men get UFC championships and was privileged to work with a couple of other champions during their career. I know that I’ve been fortunate enough to work with legends, a small group of athletes in Iowa who became the best in the world.
“My reasons for stepping away I will keep private right now. The only folks that I feel are entitled to that information are me and Robbie.”
Pena said he will continue to coach boxers, but doesn’t see himself coaching MMA fighters, at least at the moment.
