Issue 073
March 2011
He possesses one of the most dangerous pairs of hands in MMA. Strikeforce middleweight and UFC veteran Robbie Lawler has been blasting his way through opponents in a professional fighting career spanning nearly a decade. An athletic, well-conditioned striker, Lawler is known for his aggressiveness and tenacity, often coming from behind to turn the lights out on his opponents.
Dubbed ‘Ruthless’ due to his knockout potential and killer instinct, Lawler sometimes enjoys playing possum with his back against the cage, circling his opponents, luring them within range and then catching them off guard to deliver vicious blows to the head. His barbaric but calculating style has cemented his position as a firm fan-favorite.
The former EliteXC middleweight champion made his professional debut at the young age of 18, and has racked up 27 pro fights to date. Lawler, who started out at the Miletich camp, has faced an impressive roster of formidable MMA veterans, defeating the likes of Frank Trigg, Chris Lytle and Scott Smith.
Following losses to Nick Diaz and Renato Sobral in 2009 and 2010 respectively, Lawler refuses to let the fans forget him. A recent first-round brutal KO over long-standing middleweight gatekeeper Matt Lindland provided cynics with a fierce reminder of why he is still in the upper echelon of middleweight contenders. Lawler has now dispatched over half of his challengers within the first round. Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker has stated Lawler’s recent success will now catapult him into middleweight title contention. Providing he can further develop a rounded skill-set and continue to steam through opponents, 2011 could be the most ‘Ruthless’ 12 months yet.
Knockout Power
Lawler has explosive speed and power, ending the majority of his fights by (T)KO. His ability to deliver a knockout punch when under pressure has seen 17 opponents hit the deck in 20 of his professional victories, including a dramatic, come-from-behind first-round KO over the dangerous Melvin Manhoef.
Support Network
A member of The HIT Squad, Lawler is teammates with Matt Hughes and is trained by seasoned Olympic wrestling coach Marc Fiore. Although hailed for his deadly hands, Lawler has been able to draw on the pair’s vast grappling experience to develop a good wrestling pedigree.
Youth and Experience
While enjoying a seemingly endless career – portrayed by his now-lengthy Chuck Norris-style beard – Lawler is still only 28 years old. With youth on his side and the potential to develop, Lawler has the opportunity to become even more of a force to be reckoned with.
STATISTICS
Name Robbie Lawler
Age 28
Height 5’11”
Category Middleweight
Record 27-6-1
17 (T)KOs (85%)
1 Sub (5%)
2 Decisions (10%)
Fighting Style Boxing, Wrestling
Fights out of Granite City, Illinois
Active since 2001
2001
Makes professional MMA debut at just 18 years of age, defeating Jerry Hudsperth by (T)KO.
2002
Makes UFC debut at UFC 37: High Impact, defeating Aaron Riley by unanimous decision.
2004
Following consecutive loses to Nick Diaz and Evan Tanner, leaves the UFC and joins Icon Sport Championship to become middleweight champion within one year.
2007
Defeats Murilo Rua by KO to become the final EliteXC middleweight champion.
2009
Joins Strikeforce; loses first match to Jake Shields by guillotine choke.
2010
KO’s Melvin Manhoef and Matt Lindland to set himself up for a promising 2011.
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