Robbie Lawler, the soon-to-be two-time UFC Hall of Famer, recently clarified his current status regarding the UFC's anti-doping testing pool. During an appearance on the Pound 4 Pound podcast, the 43-year-old former welterweight champion was questioned about his inclusion in the testing pool following his retirement in 2023. Lawler confirmed that he remains subject to drug testing but emphasized that this does not indicate any plans for a comeback.
Lawler continues to train at Kill Cliff FC in Florida, where he was tested during a session with several other fighters present. He explained, "All that was is like they tested me at a time where there was a whole bunch of people at the gym, so it went out there like, 'Oh, it looks like Robbie got tested.' I'm like, 'Yeah, but I got tested months ago, too. Months before that.' Yeah, I'm still there getting tested. But I'm retired. I am in the pool."
This statement provides clarity for fans of Lawler, who retired with a victory over Niko Price at UFC 290 in July 2023. He concluded his career with a 30-16 record, earning the welterweight title in 2014 and defending it twice. His final fight was a 38-second knockout, a fitting end to a storied career.
Reflecting on his decision to retire, Lawler shared that it was a personal choice. He stated, "It was all on me. No one can tell me what to do, it's just how I am. It was just like no one can tell me, I have to frickin' decide, don't nudge me in any direction because I'm going to fight it." He acknowledged the challenges of recovery and the physical demands of training, noting, "The recovery, it's hard to recover. Can I still do it? Yeah, I can still do it, but do I want to be selfish, really, because that's what it is. It's selfish."
Lawler is set to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame's Modern Wing on June 26 during International Fight Week. He was previously inducted in 2023 for his iconic fight against Rory MacDonald at UFC 189.
When the announcement was made at UFC 313 this past March, Lawler allowed himself to feel the moment as a tribute video played overhead. He remarked, "I definitely enjoyed everything, but what I will say is I never allowed myself until right there at the end when all those kind words, all coming at one time on there." He continued, "If you think about it, I'd never allowed myself to have highs or lows. 'Hey, congratulations. You're awesome.' OK, yeah. But to have it, like, oh s**t, and then the flash of my career all in, like, a three-minute span, it was a lot to handle. It definitely got me."
