Last night truly marked the end of an era.

UFC 290 lived up to everything that it was supposed to be, and then some. Every single fight lived up to the billing, and probably ended up exceeding expectations. But there was one moment that was more important and special to me than any other. A moment that signified the end of one of the best careers in the history of combat sports. This is a thank -you note to one of my favourite fighters to ever do it; “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler.

Origin Story of “Ruthless”

Robbie Lawler made his professional debut in 2001. That in itself is absolutely insane.

Robbie Lawler quickly established himself as a huge fan favourite, with his 2004 meeting with Nick Diaz cementing must-watch status. (Image Credit: UFC)

To enjoy the longevity that Robbie Lawler has (especially when you consider his rock ’em-sock-’em style) is a testament to the warrior spirit and character of the man. He made his UFC bow in 2002, winning a decision over Aaron Riley. It wasn’t long before Lawler would pick up the first of his many highlight reel-worthy career matchups; in 2004, Lawler would face another icon of the Octagon, Nick Diaz. UFC 47: Liddell v Ortiz saw a legendary back-and-forth brawl, with Diaz coming out on top. This fight secured his early status as a fight favourite all the way back in 2004, and it would only grow from there.

Strikeforce Lawler: The Right Hook from Hell

If you’ve never seen this fight, please (PLEASE) watch it. It’s one of my favourite Robbie Lawler moments ever, and it’s a moment that sums up Robbie Lawler to a tee.

In January 2010, Robbie Lawler faced one of the most intimidating fighters I’ve ever seen, legendary Dutch kickboxer and MMA fan-favourite Melvin Manhoef (picture a human who looks like he’s carved from granite rocks). In this fight, Lawler gets his lead leg CHEWED by Manhoef’s elite kickboxing. On one leg, and with the fight looking like it’s coming to a violent end, Manhoef literally smashes Lawler’s right leg into the air three times, and closes in for the kill. Just as it’s all over…..BOOOOOOOOM! A right hand straight from the depths of hell knocks Melvin Manhoef into oblivion. Robbie Lawler has yet another legendary win, and none of us can work out how the hell he did it.

A back-and-forth record in Strikeforce would see Lawler return to the UFC, and have some of not only his most legendary fights, but in the entire history of the sport…

UFC Return for Ruthless

In 2013, Robbie Lawler returned to the UFC. He exploded back on the scene with a vicious first round KO over UFC legend Josh Koscheck. He would go on to earn a split decision victory over Rory MacDonald at UFC 167. A loss to Johny Hendricks at UFC 171 followed subsequently.

UFC 181, In December of 2014 would see Robbie Lawler finally reach the mountain top, winning a split decision victory over rival Johny Hendricks in a highly contested (and brutal) back-and-forth brawl to finally claim the UFC welterweight title. A legendary fight against Carlos Condit (FOTY) at UFC 193 would follow, whilst he would lose his belt to Tyron Woodley in 2016. Whilst his career has been mixed since, with wins over Donald Cerrone and and Nick Diaz being mixed among losses to Rafael dos Anjos, Colby Covington and Bryan Barberena.

Robbie Lawler finally does it! Lawler became the UFC welterweight champion with a split decision win over Johny Hendricks at UFC 181. (Image Credit: The Telegraph)

However, Lawler fought his final fight on July 9th, 2023 at UFC 290, and went out in the most fitting way possible. With a violent knockout win over “Hybrid” Niko Price. To see such a legend of combat sports going out on top was only fitting, and a testament to the greatness of the Ruthless one.

UFC 189: The Most Iconic Fight of All Time?

Yeah, you knew this was coming.

UFC 189 is widely considered by many (myself firmly included) to be one of the best main/co-main cards that the UFC has ever put together. And with very good reason. The entire card has the Las Vegas crowd bouncing from the beginning. The main event would prove to be legendary. But boy, oh boy did the co-main event steal the show.

Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald ran it back. Neither man took a step backwards for all 24 minutes of what was a horribly beautiful bar brawl. Rory MacDonald took it to Robbie for the first 3 rounds, his kickboxing getting the better of Lawler’s hands. But Lawler started landing. And connecting. And making an absolute mess of MacDonald’s face, a crimson mask by round’s end.

The fight continued to descend into glorious chaos; manic violence. Fist crunching face. Bone shaking bone. Blood seeping from places where it probably shouldn’t. Completely broken nose. Lip ripped from the force of the blows. Savage. Art. War.

The stare down at the end of round four? Only Mike Goldberg could find the words to encapsulate that moment: “WOOOOOOOOOWWWW – how good is this?” How good, indeed. It says everything, yet somehow doesn’t even come close to saying enough. Lawler spraying blood. MacDonald refusing to quit. It says everything about the warrior heart and spirit. No one captured it the way that those two men could in that moment.

Of course, Lawler would go on to win this blood-strewn battle, simply because MacDonald’s body wouldn’t let him take any more punishment. Those men would have fought on for 15 more rounds if they could have. And that is why this fight is the greatest. It is why Robbie Lawler is one of the greatest. And it is why he will forever hold such a special place in my fight fan soul. You will never see a fighter like Robbie Lawler again, I promise you that.

No words needed. (Image Credit: MMA Fighting)

Thank You, Robbie Lawler

All of this is to say, simply – thank you, Robbie Lawler.

Thank you, Robbie Lawler, for being the reason that so many fans found and enjoy the sport we all love. Thank you, Robbie Lawler, for giving me some of the greatest brawls, finishes and fights that I have ever seen a human being be involved in. Thank you for portraying the warrior heart and spirit in a way which might well never be witnessed again.

Nobody has embodied the warrior spirit the way Robbie Lawler has. Perhaps no one will again. (Image Credit: MMA Mania)

Thank you, “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler.

Keelin McNamara

[Scratches record] Yeah, that’s me. You’re probably wondering how I ended up here…or not. My name’s Keelin McNamara, and I am an AVID combat sports fan. Always have been, and probably always will be. I started writing and podcasting about MMA in the Summer of 2020 (yeah, we don’t talk about that here either). I’ve been doing it ever since, and have loved every single minute of it! Thanks for checking out whatever it is you’re reading – I hope you enjoy it!