'Filthy' Tom Lawlor: It's just a different UFC than it was before
It's been more than two years since UFC fans last saw Tom Lawlor.
It was April 6, 2013 when Lawlor tore his MCL, ACL, and meniscus in a winning effort against Michael Kuiper. On Saturday, "Filthy Tom" makes his return, squaring off against Gian Villante at UFC on FOX 16.
A lot has changed in those two years. For one, Lawlor is a bit heavier these days; he'll be facing off against Villante at light heavyweight, after a career spent fighting at middleweight.
But those aren't the changes Lawlor is concerned with.
"It's just almost like [a] completely different regime from 2013 until now," Lawlor said to Yahoo Sports. "[Former UFC coordinator Burt Watson is] gone – different front office people. The way things are handled in the office is different. I've had some issues getting stuff with medicals done that I didn't have before."
And of course there is the issue of the Reebok sponsorship.
"With the whole Reebok thing, honestly, it's just a different UFC than it was before," he said. "I feel like even a lot of the fighters are on edge. It's just not as friendly of an environment."
Lawlor arrived for the UFC on FOX card in Chicago earlier in the week and he met with Reebok and UFC personnel separately. He voiced his concerns with Reebok in relation to wanting more input on his UFC-branded apparel, and he was told by the UFC that he could raise any questions he may have with Reebok directly.
After being a rather outspoken critic of the UFC-Reebok marriage early on, it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that Lawlor had more than a few questions for the UFC team in Chicago.
"I actually got into it a little bit with the people here when I got here," he admitted. "They asked if I had any questions, and I had a lot of questions. So, when I asked the questions, they didn't like the questions. And I didn't like their answers.
Apparently Lawlor asked about walking out while wearing another fighter's "Fight Kit." He mentioned Conor McGregor's kit as a potential candidate.
It's important to understand that in a Reebok-UFC world, setting yourself apart from the pack is a difficult undertaking. Sure, exciting fights help, but fighters like Lawlor aren't exactly Anderson Silva.
Lawlor is known for being one of MMA's larger personalities. His early walkouts in the UFC sometimes paid homage to legends of the sport and helped him stand out from other mid-card fighters.
The McGregor Fight Kit question was surely in reference to some bigger, pre-planned moment. It's his attempt to get more eyeballs.
What he got in return was: No, absolutely not. Why would you want to do that? Who would want to do that?
"If there's one thing I'm known for in the sport, it's [his walkouts]. So, you're taking that away from me, and you're basically insulting me in the process."
Last week, Lawlor teased that he may walk out to "Cult of Personality," which is the long-associated theme music of pro-wrestler-turned-UFC rookie, Phil "CM Punk" Brooks.
Brooks is a Chicago native and his hometown fans are eagerly anticipating his UFC debut – whenever that may be.
Most likely, the fans in attendance on Saturday would appreciate the move – the antics of a 'heel,' perhaps. It would have certainly added some flavor to the event. And no matter what, the attempt to differentiate himself from everyone else on the card would only help the long-term career of the 32-year-old – however long that may be.
However, the powers that be shut that idea down pretty quickly.
"The CM Punk thing is another issue, but that one doesn't bother me as much because from what I understand they have plans for that particular song, which is fine I guess.
"So, I can understand why they didn't let me use that, but at the same time, I've been around for seven years in the UFC and this guy hasn't fought. And whatever they're saving that song for, I'm sure it has something to do with him. It's kind of insulting. But, whatever, it's a different UFC than it was two years ago."
The future of an MMA fighter has never been categorized as 'stable.' It's very much a business of 'get in and get out.' Years are short and time is precious. To his credit, Lawlor is doing everything in his power to adapt to the current structure.
He knows the UFC is the place to be. He knows concessions must be made. He understands that change is inevitable.
Change can be a good thing, though, especially in MMA. It can promote progress. And if the UFC isn't a place fighters want to be, then they can go elsewhere, like UFC president Dana White has insisted on numerous occasions.
With million of viewers tuning into Bellator for fights featuring former UFC'ers Tito Ortiz, Stephan Bonnar, Kimbo Slice and Ken Shamrock, there is momentum gaining for the Viacom-owned fight promotion, and actual competition could be on the not-too-distant horizon.
And that may not be a bad thing. After all, the sport of MMA has always thrived when competition was ample.
"I think you will see more guys look for other avenues outside," Lawlor said. "This already happened with Phil Davis and Josh Koscheck. And these aren't even guys that the UFC necessarily would have held on to, but they are well-enough known names that they could make a small dent into ZUFFA's bottom line.
"Obviously competition is good in any business, I don't know how much this will actually drive people to go to other organizations, though. The UFC is still the pinnacle of the sport, but there is a lot of unhappiness with the way things are being done."
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