Robbie Lawler: I’m Not Excited, I’m Just Mean

UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler is a throwback from a time long passed. He’s one of very few fighters that were able to push through tough times to become better than ever after 15 years in the sport. The 38-fight veteran has gone 8-1 since returning to the UFC in 2013, his sole loss coming to Johny Hendricks at UFC 171. ‘Ruthless’ would avenge that decision loss by defeating ‘Bigg Rigg’ at UFC 181 to claim the 170-pound title. Lawler has since defended with a gruelling TKO against Rory MacDonald and a split decision over Carlos Condit.

Known for his brutal wars and heavy hands, many have questioned the toll these battles may have taken on ‘Ruthless.’ That said, the experience edge he has on a three-round contender like Tyron Woodley could also play a big role. As we await Lawler vs. Woodley at UFC 201 this evening (Saturday July 30, 2016), there’s little more to do than sit on our hands and eagerly anticipate the likely bloodbath of the main event.

After winning fight of the night honors in four of his last six bouts, ‘Ruthless’ has been labelled one of the most exciting warriors in modern MMA. That said, he says he never plans on taking the fights to the judge’s scorecards, as quoted by The Daily Mail:

‘The thing is, no one ever wants fight of the night,’ explained the champion. ‘Every fight I’ve gone in, I want Knockout of the Night. I want to be in and out quick.

‘Sometimes these guys just have a lot of grit. They’re highly trained and I just can’t get them out of there so I get Fight of the Night. So it’s not necessarily that I’m changing anything, It’s like I’m just sick of fight of the night. I want to knock people out.’

Lawler goes on to reveal his feelings (or lack of) heading in to the third title defense with Woodley.

‘Really my coaches, they wanted this fight so we put it together and UFC put it together and that’s who I’m training to get ready for. It wasn’t anything other than that. I’m not intrigued. 

‘I’m not excited about this or that. I’m just a mean fighter who’s looking to go out there and finish people and do what I do. So it’s never about anyone else. It’s focusing on myself, how I can get better and go out there and get the job done.’

Robbie Lawler is hungry for souls, but Tyron Woodley is explosive and dangerous with a good ground game. How will this welterweight title tilt play out?