Looking back, it's pretty crazy how fast this whole Robbie Lawler thing happened

He makes his UFC return at WW going into a fight against Koscheck where most expected Koscheck to win via his wrestling, and he stops him in the first round.

And then he beats a lower tier fighter in Voelker in impressive fashion


And then just like that he finds himself as the #10 ranked guy in the division, with an upcoming fight against Rory MacDonald, finding that he has the chance to take this thing further and actually become a contender.


Then he beats MacDonald and we fast forward to today and he's the consensus #1 guy in the Welterweight division of the UFC (which is considered by many to be the most stacked division along with Lightweight), who many thought beat the current Champion in a close fight (albeit the champ was injured)


I have no idea if this is even topic worthy. Probably isn't, but i'm up late and was just thinking. Pretty awesome stuff.

 

After a bad run in strike force aswell

 

Im happy for Lawler, the guy's been in the game for a long ass time and more than a decade after he's better than ever.

 

It actually is topic worthy TS and I'm glad to see Robbie making runs at the title again. I recall his debut in UFC, his fierceness and then he faded. Really happy to see him putting in such awesome fighting, heart and patience and winning. I'm rooting for him to wear the champ strap.

 

This, where others fade, The has continued to excel.

 

Cool AV

 

He fucked up by fighting at MW and taking CW fights. He should've stayed at WW all along.

 

Happy for Robbie, been a fan of his since the beginning. Just shows what can happen when you keep improving and you're willing to fight anyone.

 

Good. Was thinking seeing the thread title that it might be about Robbie being on something.

 

I remember seeing his post fight interview after the shields loss, it sounded like he might be hanging them up. so was super happy when he blasted Kos in his first fight bk in the ufc

 

i always liked Robbie but since his UFC return he quickly became one of my all time favourite fighters to watch

 

He looks a lot thicker, stronger, and more composed than ever. His takedown defense is fantastic, he is a very dangerous striker, and a very intense fighter. He reminds me in his current incarnation to Alves. A compact, strong and aggressive striker, who is both violent and technically sound.

That would be a really fantastic fight, of course. A shame Alves has lagged a bit recently between injuries and losses.

 

I guess the skill was always there but the training and focus might not have been. I don't know of another fighter that has had a career path like Lawler's.

 

I think his career is very similar to Vitor's.

 

he's awesome. I'm a big fan and have been for a long while.
I'd love to see him as champ, thought he beat Hendricks as it was...may be a little bias though.

He looked fuckin' fantastic against Ellenberger, dudes still improving and evolving! It's been really great to watch.

Very likable character too.

 

he has some weird losses...now it seems he is in the zone...

 

If you just look at the W and L list, yeah it is a bit. Very different reasons, though. Robbie should always have been at WW, then his ledger would look a little more flattereing. Great to watch, though. It's easy to see why he's becoming so popular.

 

He was 1-2 leg kicks and 1-2 body shots away from winning the belt as well.

As is, his turnaround is pretty impressive. But had he taken the belt,,, BOOM.

 

Definitely thread worthy. Always been a fan great to see him doing so well. I think his prime could be the next 12-18 months, love to see him get the title and defend it. Even if he doesn't at least he won't have any regrets about his UFC return. Shows what hard work coupled with his great skill can bring.

 

If you consider where he was fighting perhaps its not so obvious an issue, WW in SF would have been guys like Diaz and Daley.

A lot of Lawlers recent success is I'd say down to exposing how unevolved the striking at WW in the UFC actually was. Only Hendricks had both power and the ability to work a more technical game and needed both to beat Robbie.

Plus of course there are very few guys with dangerous sub games at WW which was a lot of what caused him trouble at MW in SF.