Robbie Lawler may have delivered one of the greatest finishes to an MMA career ever when he knocked out Niko Price at this weekend’s UFC 290 after just 38 seconds. However, world star Conor McGregor seems confident that Lawler will be back by the end of the year.
Robbie Lawler promises Conor McGregor not to make a comeback
Rarely do veterans get the chance to end their careers with a victory and even more rarely in a truly spectacular way. However, Lawler ended his career the same way he began it 20 years ago by giving it his all and finishing his opponent.
Although Lawler has already announced that he is putting the gloves on the shelf, the UFC’s biggest star opted for a promise that the American will return before the end of the year.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 9, 2023
Although many retirements have been short-lived, Lawler couldn’t help but laugh at McGregor’s message to him, saying the following with a smilet MMA Fighting:
Why, does Conor want to fight? That’s a big fight, but no, I’m not really thinking about those things.
I felt good today, that’s the thing. But if I felt good for seven full weeks, that type of thing, and the fight only went for so long. You never know but I feel good with everything I accomplished. This is definitely a good way to go out.
Promised to take the Irishman’s soul
The men have history behind them as seven years ago Lawler was asked to face McGregor after he was finished by rear-naked-choke against Nate Diaz at UFC 196. Lawler then explained that it wouldn’t be a particularly great match as he hadn’t taken the Irishman’s neck if he shook McGregor like Diaz did.
The reporter then asked what Lawler had “taken” and he then replied the following:
His soul.
However, the incident never led to a match and it now appears that Lawler has left the Irishman behind regardless of what he says:
He’s just trying to get me gassed up, I’m sure. I’m not focused on any of that right now. I’m just relaxing and trying to embrace this moment.
Even with the quick finish, Lawler explained why he won’t change about fighting again:
What makes this retirement pretty easy for me is because this is the first day I actually felt good during this whole camp. But that’s really want you want, you try to figure out how to be really good on one day at your best. I was able to do that today.
Lawler is struggling to imagine a better ending than Saturday’s match and the fighter was understandably overcome with emotion after watching the highlights of his career:
It’s an honor and a pleasure to freaking see that. I mean the UFC and Dana did a great job of honoring me. The fans did a great job honoring me and my career, and everything I’ve given this sport.
I’m happy that everyone is embracing what I’ve tried to do, and I always go out there and try to knock people out and fight. I always enjoyed it. Just a long crazy career, and I’ve always loved MMA, and I guess that’s why I’ve been able to do it so long.
Made UFC debut in 2002
Lawler made his Octagon debut at UFC 37 in May 2002 with a victory. After being terminated by Nick Diaz and Evan Tanner he left the UFC for the first time in 2004. He subsequently became the EliteXC champion and challenged for the Strikeforce middleweight title.
Lawler finally made a comeback in the UFC in February 2013 against Josh Koscheck and challenged in March of 2014 Johny Hendricks for his first UFC belt but was defeated there. After an incredibly active year with two victories, he got to challenge Hendricks again in December. Once there, Lawler took revenge and captured the UFC’s welterweight title at the age of 31.
He then defended the belt twice before being knocked off Tyron Woodley in July 2016. After this, Lawler has lost more than he has won, but fortunately, he was able to end his career with a beautiful victory in any case.
2023-07-10 17:00:03
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