Over the past couple of years, long-term veteran of the sport Robbie Lawler has risen from the ashes like a phoenix. When the UFC purchased Strikeforce (another MMA organization), they acquired all of their contracts as well, which allowed for Robbie Lawler’s return to the octagon, but many weren’t sure if he could handle it.
Although Robbie had fought in the UFC years beforehand, he had gone 3-5 in his last eight bouts before returning and many thought he just was no longer a UFC caliber fighter. He has managed to shock the world by not only holding his own in the UFC, but going 8-1 with his only loss being to Johnny Hendricks which he has avenged since, winning the welterweight strap in the process. He has defended his title twice and both defenses have been absolute, knock down drag out wars.
Below we’ve collected the eight best Robbie Lawler moments in and out of the octagon that have lead him to the place he is today! Who do you think has the skills to eventually beat Lawler? Who should he defend his title against next? Check out the list below and let us know what you think in the comments!
8) Aaron Riley
-UFC 37: May 10th, 2002
Before entering the UFC, Lawler stormed onto the scene, winning his first four fights by vicious KO’s. In his fifth fight, he made the step up into the big leagues and debuted in the UFC. He was scheduled to take on Aaron Riley, who had more than five times the experience of Lawler while holding a record of 16-5-1. Lawler ended up winning the bout by unanimous decision, putting himself on the map all the way back in 2002.
7) Josh Koscheck
-UFC 157: February 23rd, 2013
This was Lawler’s first fight back in the UFC and also back in his natural weight class of welterweight. He had trouble with grapplers in his previous fights in the middleweight division for Strikeforce, so many thought that the credentialed wrestler in Koscheck would be able to take and hold Lawler down to a decision. But this was the start of Lawler’s unbelievable climb to the top of the division, absolutely crushing Koscheck by TKO after trapping him up against the fence.
6) Jake Ellenberger
-UFC 173: May 24th, 2014
On March 15th, 2014, Robbie Lawler challenged Johnny Hendricks for the welterweight title after going 3-0 since his return to the UFC. The two fought a war that eventually went to the judge’s decision that could of gone either way. They gave the nod to Hendricks, but it only seemed to light the fire under Robbie’s ass even more. He returned to the octagon two months later to take on Jake Ellenberger in an attempt to get back in the win column. He did so successfully by finishing Ellenberger in the third round by strikes.
5) Melvin Manhoef
-Strikeforce: January 30th, 2010
For our number five Robbie Lawler moment, we take a look back to his days in Strikeforce before he completely recommitted himself to the sport. He was fighting at middleweight, and in this bout against world-class kickboxer Melvin Manhoef who has wins over the likes of Mark Hunt and Kazushi Sakuraba among others. From the start of the bout, Lawler was getting absolutely decimated by leg kicks. It seemed as if he was destined to lose, but all it takes is Robbie Lawler one shot to win a fight. He may possibly have the pound-for-pound most powerful punch in the sport and the way he knocked Manhoef completely stiff onto his back, forcing the referee to tackle Lawler to prevent him from doing anymore damage.
4) Adlan Amagov
-Strikeforce: January 7th, 2012
We take one more last peek back into Lawler’s Strikeforce career before moving forward. This was his last win before rejoining the UFC and he did it in impressive fashion, as he always does. But this time he landed a glancing flying knee that did enough damage to stun Adlan just enough for him to pounce on and finish the Russian fighter.
3) Matt Brown
-UFC on FOX: July 26th, 2014
Before the fight even took place, fans knew this was going to be one you didn’t want to miss. It had been a matchup fans begged Joe Silva to make, and when he did, it felt like Christmas had come early. Matt Brown may be the only fighter in the welterweight division able to match the toughness and grit of Robbie Lawler, but he wasn’t able to match technique or power of Lawler which put Brown on the losing end of a judge’s decision.
2) Johny Hendricks II
-UFC 181: December 6th, 2014
Lawler dropped a decision to Hendricks earlier in 2014, but after winning two back-to-back fights Lawler found himself in another title fight just a few months later against the familiar competitor. When fighters square off and have an amazing back and forth fight, it is rare that the rematch plays out just as exciting. But when the bell rang and the fight began, it seemed as if these two were starting right back up where they left off in their last fight. Lawler showed an unparalleled amount of aggression in this fight that ensured if the fight went to the judge’s decision again this time, which it did, that he would pick up the win and the title of UFC welterweight champion of the world.
1) Rory MacDonald II
-UFC 189: July 11th, 2015
This was simply the greatest welterweight title fight of all time. Lawler took on Rory MacDonald in a rematch for the ages, both showing the heart and will to win of a champion, but only one man could leave the octagon with the title of best in the world. The two went back and forth over five rounds with moments where they both seemed on the verge of being finished. Coming into the fifth round, MacDonald was up on the judges score cards and Lawler had the finish the fight to retain his title and that is exactly what he did. Landing a punch on the bridge of MacDonald’s nose that involuntarily sent him falling back to the mat in overwhelming pain.
This fight cemented Lawler (and MacDonald as well) as one of the greatest welterweights to ever grace the sport. He is a fighter’s fighter and everyone should appreciate every performance of his we are fortunate enough to be able to watch. If you weren’t a fan of him before, hopefully this list has been able to convert you. Lawler doesn’t yet have his next title defense scheduled, but whoever he faces next better be ready for five rounds of war before he isn’t going to just give up his title anytime soon.
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