Robbie Lawler on Fight Against Matt Brown: ‘I’m Looking To Dictate and Dominate'
Since returning to the UFC and the welterweight division in early 2013, “’Ruthless” Robbie Lawler has looked stellar. He’s scored three knockouts in five fights, earning a title bout, but was narrowly defeated by Johny Hendricks for the then-vacant championship at UFC 171 in March.
After finishing Jake Ellenberger in his last outing, Lawler faces Matt Brown in the UFC on FOX 12 main event on Saturday with a title fight awaiting the winner. The 13-year mixed martial arts veteran knows what’s on the line when he steps in the cage against Brown at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. He’s been there before.
“It’s definitely exciting times to get to fight on FOX, a main card, a title-contender fight. It’s huge, but I’m pretty relaxed. I don’t worry too much about that. It’s a big opportunity on a big stage and I’m excited,” said Lawler on Thursday during the UFC on FOX 12 open workouts. [Watch Robbie Lawler's Video Here]
“Every fight is huge. My last fight was huge, and the fight before that was huge. Every fight’s big in the UFC, and that’s how I train,” he added.
Brown is on a seven-fight winning streak. He’s tenacious and tough with an aggressive style. He’s been proven hard to finish, and has shown the ability to overcome tremendous adversity in fights and life in general.
“I’m not trying to go in there and mess around. He’s a really good opponent. I’m not looking to go back-and-forth. I’m looking to dictate and dominate this fight, and that’s what I train to do,” said the 32-year-old American Top Team-trained Lawler.
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“I’m not too worried about who he’s fought, or any of those things. It’s hard to finish him. I don’t worry about those things. I worry about what I can control, which is: movement, power, speed,” explained the No. 2-ranked welterweight. “I’m just working on my technique. I’m not too worried about looking to finish. Those things come with good technique and the right opportunity.
“I’m not too worried about his durability and whatnot. I’m just worried about my clicking on all cylinders and doing what I can do to finish a fight. I don’t really worry about his durability,” he added.
As questions continued about Brown’s durability, Lawler grew tired of answering them.
“I work hard. I work hard in the gym. So if I go 25 minutes, I can go 25 minutes hard. That’s what we train for,” he said. “It doesn’t matter that he’s tough, and he’s hard-nosed. I train like this for everybody.”
Lawler has been in bigger fights than the one he’ll enter on Saturday. He’s held the middleweight championship for three different promotions throughout his career. He’s fought for a UFC title. Heading into his match-up with Brown, Lawler feels confident.
“I feel really good about what I’m capable of doing and Saturday everyone is going to get to see it,” he asserted. “The fans should expect a really good fight out of me. I’m going to go out there and give it my all and put on a good show. I’m going to be clicking on all cylinders, and it’s going to be a good night.”
