Las Vegas, NV — Former UFC welterweight champ “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler returns to action this weekend at UFC 276, fighting for the first time since a win over fellow legend Nick Diaz.
Lawler (29-15, 1NC) got back in the win column in the Diaz fight last September, snapping a four-fight skid when his opponent was unable to continue early in the third. Next up, it’s Bryan Barberena, in a fan-friendly match-up is ever there was one.
A longtime veteran of the sport who first fought in the UFC in 2002, then had stints in Strikeforce and Elite XC, Lawler returned to the company in 2013 after Strikeforce was absorbed into the promotion.
Through all that, he’s never been one to watch a lot of other fighters compete, it seems. “I’ve seen him fight a few times. I’m not seasoned in watching every fighter out there, but he’s had some good fights and done some good stuff,” Lawler responded when asked about Barberena during this week’s UFC 276 media day. “He’s a guy who comes to fight, and so am I.”
And while he might watch a little bit of tape, for Robbie Lawler, “it’s all about me and what I can do.”
As much as fans are looking forward to Lawler vs. Barberena because of the potential for a drawn out war, Lawler insisted on Wednesday that “I’m not trying to go back-and-forth with anybody,” adding “that would be silly. I’m looking to go out there, finish people, and not take any damage. But sometimes guys don’t go away, and sometimes I don’t either.”
There was a little bit of an outcry that Lawler was booked onto the preliminary card at UFC 276. His status as a former champ and living legend had fans howling at the news. But while there was a groundswell of support for the fighter, he actually didn’t even notice.
“That’s nice, but I don’t really follow what the fans are doing or who’s talking. I didn’t even know anything about it until I got something from [UFC PR] as far as my new PR stuff. So I don’t really pay attention to those things. But it’s nice that fans are out there supporting me still; I’ve been doing this for a while. I’m excited to go out there and put on a show for everyone.”
Watch the full UFC 276 media day appearance by Robbie Lawler above. The event takes place this Saturday, July 2, 2022 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV.
