Is Robbie Lawler the best overall/striker in the history of the UFC's Welterweight?

[Steve08]

We're not talking about wrestling to set up strikes.

Then you are talking about pure striking, not striking throughout the History of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Welterweight division.

And in that regard, GSP is still pretty damn good. He has always attacked with round kicks to the head, body and legs along with turning side kicks to the body, and he will also set up his superman punches wonderfully by using the threat of low kicks.

 

[Broad Blade]

TS has a short memory span...
Just cos Robbie is looking good now doesn't mean u come to the conclusion that he's the best overall striker @ WW today LMAO
Remember Carlos Condit's run to the top?
One punch KO of Hardy, actually 'finishing' Rory, then flying knee KO of the Dong!

You know how many people doubted me in Kos, and Rory among other things? Sure you remember it quite well...

 

[skullmaskkid]

Gsp

LOL'd SO HARD AT THIS, LolIng real hard still right now

 

[Broad Blade]

Lawler has a lot of cool KOs but, he's been outstruck a little too many time to be considered some GOAT striker. I'd say GSP would be the best striker, but his performance against hendricks showed that it's not that effective if he is unable to land take downs consistently. Thiago alves is good but he hasn't beaten enough high level strikers to be in consideration for goat list. Condit is also good, but if he didn't have crazy chin, he would've had a bunch of KO losses. WW is not striker's division in general, if I had to chose i'd say it's GSP, eventhough he is not some striking phenom.

Gsp was known for his wrestling, and jabbing, not for his striking...

 

[Which Doctor]

Lol the Lawler hype train is runnin' wild!

Then enlighten me, who has better striking and movement that Robbie in the UFC's welterweight division today or ever?

 

[IloveTHIS]

please continue to enlighten us TS. we could all only dream to be as knowledgeable about the great Robbie Lawlers beautiful striking as much as you are. Even though 9/10 people in this thread are telling you that youre wrong, and giving you valid reasons why, they are clearly just in denial and jealous of your vast expertise.

10/10 thread, would read again. I look forward to your continuing blind Lawler nutthuging and your hardheaded baseless opinions.

 

[Steve08]

Robbie has the ability to close the distance and have the technique to win on points against Condit and GSP.

In a striking sport? not necessarily. Condit and GSP are much better kickers than Robbie.

Lawler pretty noticeably only throws kicks from his left leg. It's quite a distinctive trait.

Also, you seem to be making the implication that jabbing does not matter, because they don't really KO people. This is false. The Jab is the most important punch in Boxing, and its defensive utility in kick-fighting is only surpassed by the Muay Thai push kick.

 

[tenniswhiz]

WW has actually had a lot of great strikers, but Lawler has a killer instinct that most don't have.

GSP was an excellent technical striker, but he often let guys off the hook after tagging them. After all, his schedule called for a TD in the next couple minutes and he religiously checked the clock.

Thiago Alves has great MT and not many guys can stand with him. Unfortunately, he hasn't shown the best 'opponent-specific' strategy and has faded from the Top 10.

Carlos Condit is a dangerous, unpredictable striker that just keeps coming.

During his time Mach Sakurai was a fantastic striker and his win over Trigg is unforgettable.
Pele Landi was also a great striker during his prime, but his TDD and ground game were not at the same level.
Anderson Silva was another great striker at WW during his impoverished period.

Josh Koscheck was also one of the great WW strikers, possessing a devastatingly dangerous overhand right that was feared by the division's elite.

 

[Steve08]

Robbie has the ability to close the distance and have the technique to win on points against Condit and GSP.

In a striking sport? not necessarily. Condit and GSP are much better kickers than Robbie.

Lawler pretty noticeably only throws kicks with his left leg. It's quite an idiosyncratic trait.

Also, you seem to be making the implication that jabbing does not matter, because they don't really KO people. This is false. The Jab is the most important punch in Boxing, and its defensive utility in kick-fighting is only surpassed by the Muay Thai push kick.

 

[Broad Blade]

Then you are talking about pure striking, not striking throughout the History of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Welterweight division.

And in that regard, GSP is still pretty damn good. He has always attacked with round kicks to the head, body and legs along with turning side kicks to the body, and he will also set up his superman punches wonderfully by using the threat of low kicks.

GSP cannot strike and bang with Robbie on the feet... GSP may have done those things in the past, but the new generation of w.w' today(or even midtier fighters today) would can those foes of GSP...

So your saying GSP has better striking than Robbie Lawler... okay

 

[ShagginTurtles]

Georges and I don't think it's close as far as mma striking goes

He out struck Condit, Diaz, Alves and every other fighter he fought on the feet (probably not Johny but I actually don't know the standing strike count)

Hope Lawler wins the belt though

 

[evilbrent]

Came here to say Alves, Diaz, Penn... Then I realized GSP out struck all of 'em.

 

[Steve08]

So your saying GSP has better striking than Robbie Lawler... okay

He is absolutely better in certain aspects of striking, yes.

Are you forgetting the fact that Lawler pretty much only threw hands while Johny Hendricks kicked the shit out of his legs?

 

[Broad Blade]

In a striking sport? not necessarily. Condit and GSP are much better kickers than Robbie.

Lawler pretty noticeably only throws kicks with his left leg. It's quite an idiosyncratic trait.

Also, you seem to be making the implication that jabbing does not matter, because they don't really KO people. This is false. The Jab is the most important punch in Boxing, and its defensive utility in kick-fighting is only surpassed by the Muay Thai push kick.

No were not making a jab a big deal when it comes to overall striking... Yeah he maybe exceptionally good at that, but that doesn't mean he's got the best overall striking. What about knees, and kicks? That was never brought back into play with the latter career of GSP.

Let's not confused one good thing in the striking department with the overall essence of pure striking.

 

[IloveTHIS]

GSP cannot strike and bang with Robbie on the feet... GSP may have done those things in the past, but the new generation of w.w' today(or even midtier fighters today) would can those foes of GSP...

So your saying GSP has better striking than Robbie Lawler... okay

 

[Steve08]

Came here to say Alves, Diaz, Penn... Then I realized GSP out struck all of 'em.

Yep.

GSP made Alves look like a fucking amateur. That was amazing.

 

[Kneeuinthenutz]

Paul Daley

 

[Broad Blade]

He is absolutely better in certain aspects of striking, yes.

Are you forgetting the fact that Lawler pretty much only threw hands while Johny Hendricks kicked the shit out of his legs?

Cuz Robbie wasn't fighting smart like the way he did against Ellenberger. Remember the last Robbie fight?

 

[JfPuffNStuff]

Same man who shattered his jaw @ UFC 48

Im pretty sure Diaz hasn't had a legit KO even close to that since then and how long ago was that? That would never happen again. Diaz does not have power. He's all about piling shots on his opponents.

 

[IloveTHIS]

Yep.

GSP made Alves look like a fucking amateur. That was amazing.

He is absolutely better in certain aspects of striking, yes.

Are you forgetting the fact that Lawler pretty much only threw hands while Johny Hendricks kicked the shit out of his legs?

True, Johny was actually mixing it up wonderfully and outstriking Lawler pretty damn good the first much of the first 2 rounds. Wonderful kicks.