After five performance of the night bonuses, two fights of the year, and two successful title defenses, The Ruthless one still believes that he has yet to gain the respect he deserves.
Filipino-American Robbie Lawler has been the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s World Welterweight Champion since December of 2014. Even though his fights has gone the full distance in three of his last four bouts, the number four pound-for-pound fighter in the world is still not getting the big fights he wants according to him.
Lawler (27-10-1) is set to face fellow American Top Team member Tyron Woodley on Sunday, July 31 (Philippine time) at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
“Obviously, this wasn’t the fight that I picked but it is what it is and just move forward,” Lawler told Ariel Helwani of MMA Fighting Thursday afternoon about his upcoming bout.
“I’m not doing anything to get out of my way to do something. I can only focus on what I can control which is getting better everyday and sharpening my skills.”
The 34 year old is considered as one of the most exciting fighters in this generation as two of his fights were honored as the 2014 (UD win over Johnny Hendricks) and 2015 (TKO 5 win over Rory McDonald) Fight of the Year. However, five rounders always take a physical toll on any fighter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4ODMCnAFqg
With age catching up to him, Lawler admitted that he is planning to go for the finish against Woodley.
“I’m banking on dominating from start to finish. I can’t control his side of the table but I can control what I can do and go out there and fight,” he said. “No one ever wants to go 25 minutes. Everyone wants to go out there to go for a knockout and finish the fight.”
With the rumored returns of high-profile welterweights Georges St. Pierre (former UFC Welterweight Champion) and Nick Diaz (former Strikeforce Welterweight Champion), the Florida-native is hoping to go out of Atlanta as champion to get the high profile bouts he thinks he deserves.
“I’m not thinking that far ahead but obviously paydays are nice,” he furthered. “I just want to get past Saturday and let everyone know I’m still the man.”
“I feel like people appreciate what I accomplished but I don’t feel like I’m getting near the respect that I deserve. I can’t wait to go and get it,” the UFC World Welterweight Champion closed.
