Eight Times Robbie Lawler Absolutely Destroyed His Opponent

Few fighters embody their nickname better than reigning UFC welterweight champion “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler. Lawler has time and time again proved his warrior spirit inside of the Octagon, fighting with a relentless and ruthless style and backing down from no man.

Because of his that style, Lawler has become a fan favorite and will defend his crown once again this upcoming weekend (Sat., July 30, 2016) in the main event of UFC 201 live on pay-per-view (PPV) from Atlanta, Georgia.

Looking to make the third defense of his 170-pound strap, the “Ruthless” one will take on No. 4-ranked Tyron “The Chosen One” Woodley. Woodley, a former NCAA Division I All-American wrestler, possesses a unique combination of speed and explosive power, and he should provide the champion with a solid test.

As the fight nears closer, it’s an interesting time to look back on the legendary career of Robbie Lawler. Lawler’s career has seen hardships as well as triumph, but he’s always brought it on fight night, and because of that, he’s compiled his fair share of brutal victories.

Let’s take a look back on just eight times that Lawler absolutely destroyed his opponent:

Robbie Lawler vs. Joey Villasenor – PRIDE 32

Lawler has competed in top promotions all across the globe, and he made his debut in the now defunct PRIDE FC back at PRIDE 32 in October 2006.

Establishing himself as a legitimate threat in the sport, Lawler wasted little time before landing a brutal flying knee on his opponent. Villasenor dropped to the canvas, and after a few follow up shots from the “Ruthless” one, the fight was over just 22 seconds into the opening round.

Robbie Lawler vs. Frank Trigg – ICON Sport: Epic

ICON Sport: Epic went down back in March 2007, and Lawler was given a great opportunity when he was matched up against a legend of the sport in Frank Trigg with the promotion’s middleweight world title hanging in the balance.

The two men went back and forth for the opening three rounds, but it was in the fourth frame where Lawler sealed the deal.

The two men traded shots in the pocket before “Ruthless” backed Trigg up into a corner. Lawler then unloaded a lethal combination, and his opponent simply had no answer. After eating some big shots, Trigg dropped in devastating fashion as Lawler celebrated a destructive victory.

Robbie Lawler vs. Scott Smith II – EliteXC: Unfinished Business

At EliteXC: Primetime in May 2008, Robbie Lawler faced off with Scott Smith, but the bout unfortunately ended in a no contest due to an illegal eye poke. Given the ending of that bout, the two men then squared off in a rematch just a few months later in July 2008 at EliteXC: Unfinished Business.

This time, Lawler left the audience with a more definitive ending. After blasting Smith with a brutal knee in the second round, Lawler finished him off on the ground with a barrage of strikes including a few vicious soccer kicks.

Lawler looked like a man possessed as he was finishing this bout, and it certainly ranks amongst his most notable stoppages.

Robbie Lawler vs. Melvin Manhoef – Strikeforce: Miami

Strikeforce: Miami went down back in 2010, and it was at this event that Lawler scored one of the most iconic knockouts of his career. Despite being primarily known for his striking, Lawler had a tough test in front of him in the form of accomplished kickboxer Melvin Manhoef.

However, “Ruthless” once again proved that he was a different type of animal. After eating a ton of vicious leg kicks early on in the first round that left him barely able to walk, Lawler landed a looping right hook square on the chin of his opponent, and after one more left hook landed on the way down, Lawler had left Manhoef staring up at the lights in emphatic fashion.

Robbie Lawler vs. Adlan Amagov – Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine

After suffering back-to-back losses, Lawler looked to get back to his winning ways against Adlan Amagov at a Strikeforce event back in 2012, and he made a statement doing just that.

Just minutes into the first round, Lawler drilled Amagov with a picture perfect flying knee that left him on the canvas. Lawler then unleashed on a relentless flurry of ground strikes, leaving the referee with no choice but to pull him off.

Robbie Lawler vs. Bobby Voelker – UFC on FOX 8

After losing three of his last four to end his Strikeforce run, Robbie Lawler made his return to the world’s largest mixed martial arts promotion in 2013, and it was safe to say that fans had no idea what they were in store for.

Looking to continue his momentum after a knockout victory over Josh Koscheck at UFC 157, Lawler met Bobby Voelker at UFC on FOX 8 in July 2013.

Less than a minute into the second round, the “Ruthless” one hammered home a lethal left kick into the head of Voelker, sending him crashing to the canvas. A few follow-up shots later, and Lawler had destroyed yet another opponent.

Robbie Lawler vs. Jake Ellenberger – UFC 173

Lawler returned to action at UFC 173 after a failed bid for the welterweight title a few months prior at UFC 171 in March 2014. Lawler had suffered a disappointing decision loss to Johny Hendricks, and a close one at that, and it was clear that he had something to prove.

In the third round of a bout with longtime veteran Jake Ellenberger, Lawler landed a flying knee to the jaw of “The Juggernaut” against the fence. Ellenberger instantly dropped and Lawler pounced on the finish. The “Ruthless” one was fired up in the aftermath of the victory, and rightfully so, as it was destruction at its finest.

Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald – UFC 189

After winning the 170-pound title against Hendricks at UFC 181, Lawler looked to make the first defense of his newly-acquired strap at UFC 189 against Rory MacDonald in a fight that ended up ranking amongst the best of all-time.

It may be hard to understand why this fight lands on this list given the fact that Lawler was nearly finished in the third round, but the finish says it all.

When the bell to start the fifth round rang, both men were bloodied and tired, but Lawler quickly made it clear that he had some gas left in the tank. A minute into the final frame, Lawler sent a thunderous left straight down the pipe and landed it cleanly, shattering the nose of a crimson-faced MacDonald. The Canadian dropped in agony as he simply couldn’t handle the pain. Lawler broke his opponent, and earned his most legendary victory in the process.