If one thing about Robbie Lawler in his 19-year combat career was made clear anywhere, it is that he has built differently than most.
Part of it has shown during his fights where the former champion Utrecht welterweight is considered one of the wildest competitors in the history of the sport, with a do-or-die attitude towards any opponent who he opposes. It’s hard to forget the image of Lawler just moments after he completed Rory MacDonald after an epic fight in 2015 with his upper lip split in two, while fire spilled from his lungs as a guttural scream unleashed.
Outside the cage, Lawler is the complete opposite.
His calm, cool and collected attitude deserves him respect with peers and even dealing with constant poison that was thrown at him prior to her fight last year by Colby Covington, it seemed to just pull off without care in the world.
It’s that exact attitude that Lawler will carry in his fight this weekend when he meets Neil Magny in the UFC Vegas 8 co-main event. On paper, Lawler may have his back against the wall after suffering three immediate losses; in fact, Lawler does not see his fight with Magny as a must-win situation, but rather an opportunity to experience a fresh start.
“It’s just one fight,” Lawler told MMA Fighting. “Saturday. That’s all you focus on. Do not try to prove anything, just go out and show your skills.
‘It does not matter about the past, it matters about who you are today. That’s what’s great about competition. ”
For all the sides and bluster that fills the air for a big fight, Lawler never disappears into the hype or hoopla that surrounds and happens.
Instead, he prefers to simply keep an eye on the prize, which is always about his passion for preparation and the thirst for great competition.
“I love competing, but most importantly, I love preparation,” Lawler said. “I love training. I love taking care of my body. I love lifting weights and getting stronger and making sure everything is tip-top.
“It’s just what I’ll be doing my whole life. Even if I do not participate in MMA, I will participate in something just so I can keep busy and take care of myself and push myself.”
While the upcoming fight with Magny will be Lawler’s first appearance in the quarterfinals since last August, the 38-year-old veteran has actually been trying for several months to land an opponent.
Lawler was initially matched with up-and-coming welterweight candidate Santiago Ponzinibbio last December, but the Argentine was forced out of her fight due to an infection. Since then, Lawler says his manager has been in talks with the UFC about various options for his next fight, but nothing came together.
That was when he saw the chance to jump into the fight with Magny after Magny’s original opponent Geoff Neal dropped the card due to a recent medical scare that kept him in the hospital for several days.
‘Dave [Martin] went, talking to Hunter [Campbell], trying to get fights for me and nothing worked, ‘Lawler explained. ‘It was just like you came down and it was like let’s come in and fight, nothing more than that. It was short term but everything fell through, nothing worked and now you have this opportunity.
‘It’s just what fighting is. You have to get out there and do what you love to do and it’s time to fight. ”
The fight with Magny will actually bring Lawler into a showdown with a former training partner after they previously worked together at the HIT Squad gym outside of St. Louis. Louis.
Back then, Magny was just a beginner learning the ropes, but Lawler remembers them even in those days a lot of potential.
“Yes, I think of him,” Lawler said. “He was really young. I think he was in the National Guard then. Just a very tall, hard worker, enthusiastic to learn and had some ability. ”
Magny credits Lawler as an influence that helped him decide that MMA could become a career instead of just a hobby. Given the large number of people who have crossed paths with Lawler over the years, there are probably a long list of fighters with similar stories.
For all the championships he has won and opponents he has opposed, Lawler believes that aspect of sharing his experiences can be his biggest contribution to the sport and one he wants to continue to pay, even after completing his own career.
“It’s about giving back,” Lawler said. “At some point in time, [my teammates] will do the same. So if I do this, it’s going to rub them off and then they’ll help someone else down the road and that’s what it’s about. Give back and share your knowledge and make boys better.
“I will definitely help give back to the sport and give back all the knowledge I have learned over the years.”
