411 Fighter Profile: Robbie Lawler
Posted by Wendell Mitchell on 07.23.2008
In a weight class dominated by Anderson Silva, it is easy to lose sight of the other top middleweight fighters who do not ply their trade in the Octagon. Today, we take a look at one such fighter. His momma named him Robert. We call him Ruthless.
Robbie Lawler
Nickname: "Ruthless" Record: 15-4, 1 NC Weight: 185 lbs Height: 5'11" Hometown: San Diego, CA, Fights out of Bettendorf, IA Ranking #6 Middleweight Association: H.I.T. Squad Organizations: Elite XC (current); UFC; Pride; Icon Sport; Extreme Challenge; King of the Cage; IFL; IFC Accomplishments: Elite XC World Middleweight Champion (current); 2 -Time Icon Sport Middleweight Champion.
Introduction
As in any sport, to excel in Mixed Martial Arts one must possess various qualities and attributes. A combatant must enter the arena believing that his skills are more than sufficient. He has to believe he has an edge in striking, grappling, or his ability to absorb and dispense damage. But sometimes, you need something more. Sometimes, you need to be Ruthless.
Early Life
Born in San Diego, California on March 20 1982, Robert Glen Lawler, like many boys of the 80s developed a fascination with martial arts at an early age. Inspired by his big screen heroes and his accomplished martial artist father, young Robbie began taking karate at nine years old.
Lawler's family would move the following year to Bettendorf. Iowa; home of the legendary Pat Militech.
During Lawler's high school years, Militech discovered and offered to train him.
Upon graduating, Lawler began training full-time with Militech and under Militech's tutelage, made his professional debut on April 7, 2001.
MMA Career
Win, John Reed, TKO, 1, 2:14 Extreme Challenge 39, April 7, 2001
-Everyone has to start somewhere and what better way to kick off a career than with a first round TKO victory. Win, Landon Showater, KO, 1, 0:14 International Fighting Championship Warriors Challenge 13, California, June 15, 2001 Win, Marco Macera, TKO, 1, 1:19 Extreme Challenge 41, Davenport, Iowa, July 13, 2001 Win, Saburo Kawakatsu, TKO(punches), 1, 4:49 Shogun – Shogun 1, Honolulu Hawaii, December 15, 2001
-Lawler ends his first year as a professional fighter in sunny Hawaii with a fourth straight, first round KO. W, Aaron Riley, Decision(unanimous), 3, 5:00 UFC 37 High Impact, Bossier City, LA, May, 10, 2002
-It was only a matter of time before the UFC would come calling for the ruthless young rookie, who, though having his KO streak ended, gained his first victory in the Octagon.
Win, Steve Berger, TKO(strikes), 2, :027 UFC 37.5:As Real As It Gets, Las Vegas, Nevada, June 22, 2002 Win, Tiki Ghosn, TKO(strikes), 1, 1:29 UFC 40: Vendetta, Las Vegas, Nevada, November 22, 2002 Loss, Pete Spratt, Submission(injury), 2, 2:28 UFC 42: Sudden Impact, Miami, Florida, April 23, 2003
-Due to injury, Lawler could not continue his bout and would suffer his first career defeat. Win, Chris Lytle, Decision(unanimous), 3, 5:00 UFC 45: Revolution Uncasville, Connecticut, November 21, 2003 Loss, Nick Diaz, KO(punches), 2, 1:31 UFC 47: It's On, Las Vegas, Nevada, April 2, 2004
-This would mark the first, and thus far, only time Lawler was knocked out. I could not find a site that would allow me to embed the video, so here's a link. Loss, Evan Tanner, Submission(triangle choke), 1, 2:22 UFC 50: War of '04, Atlantic City, NJ, October 22, 2004
-This may have been his second loss in a row, but it has been oft said that one grows from and learns more from a loss than a victory. Judging by his current status, I think he took those words to heart. Win, Falaniko Vitale, KO, 2, N/A Icon Sport: Superbrawl, Honolulu, Hawaii, July 23, 2005 Win, Jeremy Brown, Submission(arm bar), 1, 2:48 King of the Cage: Xtreme Edge, Indianapolis, Indiana, September 17. 2005 W, Falaniko Vitale, KO, 1, 3:38, Icon Middleweight Championship Icon Sport: Lawler vs. Nico 2, Honolulu, Hawaii February 25, 2006
-With his third trip to our 50th state, Lawler strikes it rich and wins his first championship.
Loss, Jason Miller, Submission(arm triangle), 3, Icon Middleweight Championship Icon Sport: Lawler vs. Mayhem, Honolulu, Hawaii, September 2, 2006
-Unfortunately, his championship reign would only last until his first defense, as despite his ruthless aggression, Lawler just could not overcome the man they call Mayhem or his legion of Mayhem Monkeys.
Win, Joey Villasenor, KO (flying knee) 1, :22 Pride 32: The Real Deal, Las Vegas Nevada, October 21, 2006
-Lawler would recover from that setback and made his first and only appearance with Pride FC. If the proceeding clip is any indication, I believe he acquitted the specter of that loss in spectacular fashion.
Win, Eduardo Pamplona, TKO, 3. 1:36 International Fight League: IFL- Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, February 23, 2007 Win, Frank Trigg, KO(punches), 4, 1:40, Icon Middleweight Championship Icon Sport: Epic, Honolulu, Hawaii, March 21, 2007
-If you can't get the guy that took your belt, take out the guy that beat him. Sorry Twinkle Toes, the only thing twinkling after those shots to the jaw were the stars you saw as you slumped into the corner.
Win, Murilo Rua, TKO(strikes), 3, 2:04, EliteXC Middleweight Championship EliteXC: Uprising, Honolulu, Hawaii, September 15, 2007
-I know I've been hammering you over the head with how ruthless Robbie is, but not only did he beat a Ninja, he captured another Middleweight Championship only a month after being stripped of his Icon belt. That borders on "he's my hero" territory.
No Contest, Scott Smith, Unintentional Foul, 3, 3:26, EliteXC Middleweight Championship EliteXC: Primetime, Newark, New Jersey May 31, 2008
-Easily the fight of the night, and a potential match of the year candidate that was abruptly cut short with an inadvertent thumb to the eye that would have made Ric Flair proud. Once again, I could not find a site that would let me embed the fight, so so here's a link..
The Future
Up next for Lawler is a much-anticipated rematch with Scott Smith. These two put on quite a show last time and if Smith lives up to his post match words, fight fans should be in for another exciting encounter as these two men are the main event of EliteXC's next event.
