Fighter Profile: Robbie Lawler

Overall Record: 17-4

Hometown: San Diego, CA

Height: 5’11” Weight: 185

Age: 27

Robbie Lawler is a Mixed Martial Arts fighter who currently fights in the Middleweight (185 lb) division for Strikeforce. He previously trained at Militech Fighting Systems in Bettendorf, IA for several years, but now, is a co-owner of the HIT Squad gym in Granite City, IL.

“Ruthless” began fighting over eight years ago for small promotions like the IFC, Shogun Fights and Extreme Challenge. He won his first four fights in the “minor-leagues” by impressive fashion. He defeated all four of his initial opponents with 1 st round knockouts.

After his impressive KO streak the UFC scheduled Lawler for a May 2002 fight at UFC 37 against Aaron Riley. He outlasted Riley and earned a unanimous decision win in his debut. He improved his unbeaten streak to 7 with TKO wins over Steve Berger and Tiki Ghosn at UFC 37.5 and UFC 40.

He had his first taste of defeat at UFC 42 - when Pete Spratt got the win due to an injury that Lawler had suffered during the fight. “Ruthless” bounced back to earn a unanimous decision victory over the always-tough Chris Lytle at UFC 45. Two stoppage losses to Nick Diaz and Evan Tanner at UFC 47 and 50 again had Lawler on the outside looking in when the UFC released the Middleweight.

After being released from the UFC, Lawler won 3 of his next 4 fights. Two of those wins were knockouts against the Hawaiian-born fighter, Falinko Vitale.

Jason Miller handed Lawler his second career loss at an Icon Sport event in September 2006. He bounced back in exciting fashion when Japanese-based PRIDE scheduled an event in Las Vegas, Nevada. Joey Villesenor was victim to a flying knee courtesy of Lawler only 22 seconds into the fight.

> Pro Fighting Fans allows fans to browse or buy MMA gear & merchandise as well as Punishment MMA apparel & clothing.

He also tallied another TKO win in his only International Fight League appearance.

Lawler was next handed his first title opportunity when Icon Sport set up a Middleweight bout for the belt, featuring – Robbie Lawler vs. Frank Trigg. The fight was exciting and full of fireworks. Trigg proved to be a game opponent but succumbed to Lawler’s punches in the 4th round of the title fight.

The new Icon Sport Middleweight champion next took an offer from a new MMA promotion that seemed to have deep pockets – the Elite XC. His first fight for Elite XC was to be for the Middleweight title belt at “Uprising” in September 2007. Lawler looked impressive, as always with his stand-up game, earning a TKO win against Murilo “Ninja” Rua and the Elite XC MW belt.

Lawler defended his belt officially only one time – in a July 2008 fight versus Scott Smith. He battled Smith parts of two rounds before finishing him off with a TKO – via punches late in the 2nd. He was unable to defend the belt after his Elite XC: Unfinished Business fight, due to the once deep-pocketed promotion filing for bankruptcy.

Early in 2009, Lawler along with several other Elite XC fighters, had their contract purchased by Strikeforce – ending a long standing “inactive” phase where many fighters were not allowed to participate in any events.

Lawler is next scheduled to fight fellow Elite XC cage mate, Jake Shields, at a June 6th (182 lb) catch-weight bout. The Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields bout serves as the main event – which is being televised on the cable network, Showtime.

Recent Robbie Lawler MMA News:

• Lost to Jake Shields via Submission at Strikeforce: Lawler vs Shields on June 6, 2009 - Strikeforce Lawler vs Shields results

• Defeated Melvin Manhoef by KO in Round 1 at Strikeforce: Miami on January 30, 2010 - Strikeforce Miami results

By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Staff Writer
Published May 2009