Robbie Lawler Says Winning The Belt Will Be ‘More About The Journey’

In an MMA world where talking a big game can seemingly earn you a title shot faster than a long win streak, UFC welterweight title contender Robbie Lawler prefers to let his fists do his talking.

“Ruthless” has been nearly flawless since returning to the UFC in February 2013, winning three straight bouts to earn a title shot at Johny Hendricks in the main event of UFC 171 in March. He came up just short in what many feel was the best bout of 2014, but he didn’t let that bring him down.

While Hendricks was on the sidelines with surgery for a torn biceps, Lawler fought and defeated Jake Ellenberger and Matt Brown to lock up a rematch with the returning Hendricks at UFC 181 on December 6.

Lawler has been a mixed martial artist since the early days of the UFC, yet it feels like “Ruthless” is just now finding his comfort zone as a fighter. He’s always had that one-punch knockout power, and now his striking is more diverse and dangerous.

At the end of the day, however, Lawler’s highlight reel power will be what defines him as a fighter. The veteran slugger discussed the origins of his power with UFC.com, noting that he started lifting weights at an early age:

“I grew up fighting, I grew up hitting the bag, and one thing that people don’t realize is that I started lifting weights in third grade. And when I hit the bag or kicked the bag, I did it hard. I did everything hard and with the intent to hurt somebody and knock them out and I think that helped. I think I built the punching power; I don’t think it was given to me. I think that would be ridiculous to say that after all my hard work and years of training that my knockout power was given to me like it was a gift or something.”

Lawler choses to focus on the fact that he’s worked hard to build up his striking, but he said that one thing does come natural to him. That’s his tendency to put on exciting wars each and every time out to the cage:

“If I play baseball I’m going to hit home runs; if I’m playing defensive end I’m going to get sacks, and I’m going to make it look exciting. That’s just the way I do stuff. It’s not that I’m trying to do it. It’s just natural. If the crowd likes it, they like it. If they don’t they don’t, but usually they do.”

Having been in the fight game so long, Lawler also said that his thinking has changed recently. He noted that he only wanted to train and win fights when he was first in the UFC, but now his legacy has crossed his mind with experience:

“I was young. I was there for the moment and I wanted to just train hard and beat people up and have fun. I didn’t worry too much about those things. But it’s definitely something you think of as you get older.”

Lawler closed by reflecting on what he would do if he won the title, choosing to focus on the long and arduous path to the top rather than just the title:

“There will probably be a big smile on my face, but I think the smile on my face is going to be more about the journey and not necessarily about that day. It will be the journey of everything and everyone who’s come along for the ride.”

Always calm and calculating, Lawler seems ready to assume the role of the UFC’s top welterweight, but he’ll have to derail a “Bigg Rigg” to prove it. Even if he comes up short, Lawler’s career, namely his miraculous resurgence, will be nothing short of amazing.

Photo Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports