Robert Glenn Lawler, nicknamed "Ruthless," is a retired American mixed martial artist known for his aggressive fighting style. He competed from 2001 to 2023, holding championship titles in both the UFC and EliteXC. A fan favorite, Lawler's fights against Johny Hendricks, Rory MacDonald, and Carlos Condit earned Fight of the Year accolades.
March 20, 1982: Birth of Robbie Lawler
Robbie Lawler was born in San Diego, California on March 20, 1982.
2000: Robbie Lawler Begins Training with Pat Miletich
Upon graduating high school in 2000, Robbie Lawler started training with Pat Miletich at Miletich Fighting Systems.
2001: Professional MMA Debut
Robbie Lawler began his professional mixed martial arts career in 2001.
2001: Early Career Success
Robbie Lawler won his first four professional fights by TKO/KO in 2001, marking a successful start to his career.
March 31, 2007: ICON Sport Middleweight Championship Win
Robbie Lawler defeated Frank Trigg on March 31, 2007, to become the ICON Sport Middleweight Champion for the second time.
September 15, 2007: EliteXC Middleweight Championship Win
Robbie Lawler won the EliteXC Middleweight Championship by defeating Murilo Rua on September 15, 2007.
December 15, 2007: Withdrawal from ICON Sport Title Defense
Robbie Lawler withdrew from his scheduled ICON Sport Middleweight Championship defense against Kala Hose on December 15, 2007, due to an injury.
February 9, 2008: Stripped of ICON Sport Title
On February 9, 2008, Robbie Lawler was stripped of the ICON Sport Middleweight title after withdrawing from his title defense against Kala Hose for a second time due to injury.
May 31, 2008: No Contest against Scott Smith
Robbie Lawler's EliteXC Middleweight Championship defense against Scott Smith on May 31, 2008, ended in a no contest due to an accidental eye poke.
July 26, 2008: Victory over Scott Smith in Rematch
Robbie Lawler defeated Scott Smith by TKO in a rematch on July 26, 2008, successfully defending his EliteXC Middleweight Championship.
June 6, 2009: Strikeforce Debut and Loss to Jake Shields
Robbie Lawler made his Strikeforce debut on June 6, 2009, losing to Jake Shields by submission.
January 30, 2010: Comeback Victory against Melvin Manhoef
Robbie Lawler secured a first-round knockout victory against Melvin Manhoef on January 30, 2010, after overcoming significant leg damage early in the fight.
June 16, 2010: Loss to Renato Sobral at Strikeforce: Los Angeles
Robbie Lawler faced Renato Sobral in a catchweight bout on June 16, 2010, at Strikeforce: Los Angeles, losing by unanimous decision after struggling to overcome Sobral's reach and grappling skills.
December 4, 2010: First-Round Knockout Victory over Matt Lindland
Robbie Lawler defeated Matt Lindland by knockout in the first round of their fight on December 4, 2010, at Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Babalu II.
January 29, 2011: Loss to Ronaldo Souza at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Cyborg
Robbie Lawler fought Ronaldo Souza for the Strikeforce Middleweight Championship on January 29, 2011, ultimately losing by submission in the third round.
July 14, 2012: Loss to Lorenz Larkin and Departure from Miletich Fighting Systems
Robbie Lawler faced Lorenz Larkin on July 14, 2012, at Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy, losing by unanimous decision. Following this defeat, he left Miletich Fighting Systems and joined American Top Team in Florida.
February 23, 2013: Return to Welterweight and Victory over Josh Koscheck
Robbie Lawler returned to the Welterweight division on February 23, 2013, at UFC 157, defeating Josh Koscheck by TKO in the first round and earning a Knockout of the Night bonus.
July 27, 2013: Victory over Bobby Voelker at UFC on Fox 8
Robbie Lawler defeated Bobby Voelker by knockout in the second round at UFC on Fox 8 on July 27, 2013, after two previous opponents withdrew due to injuries.
December 13, 2013: Georges St-Pierre Vacates UFC Welterweight Title
Georges St-Pierre announced an indefinite break from MMA and vacated the UFC Welterweight Championship on December 13, 2013, paving the way for a title fight opportunity for Robbie Lawler.
March 15, 2014: UFC Welterweight Title Fight Against Johny Hendricks
Robbie Lawler faced Johny Hendricks for the vacant UFC Welterweight Championship at UFC 171 on March 15, 2014, losing a close fight by unanimous decision but earning his first Fight of the Night bonus.
May 24, 2014: TKO Victory over Jake Ellenberger at UFC 173
Robbie Lawler defeated Jake Ellenberger by TKO in the third round at UFC 173 on May 24, 2014.
July 26, 2014: Victory over Matt Brown and Fight of the Night Bonus
Robbie Lawler won a unanimous decision victory against Matt Brown in a Welterweight title eliminator bout at UFC on Fox 12 on July 26, 2014, earning a Fight of the Night bonus for the back-and-forth action.
December 6, 2014: UFC Welterweight Championship Victory
Robbie Lawler won the UFC Welterweight Championship by defeating Johny Hendricks in a rematch via split decision at UFC 181 on December 6, 2014.
2014: First Fight of the Year Award
Robbie Lawler received his first Fight of the Year award for his bout against Johny Hendricks at UFC 171 in 2014.
July 11, 2015: Successful Title Defense and Fight of the Year Accolades
Robbie Lawler defended his UFC Welterweight Championship against Rory MacDonald at UFC 189 on July 11, 2015, winning by TKO in the fifth round. The fight was widely acclaimed, earning both fighters Fight of the Night honors and later being recognized as the Sherdog Fight of the Year.
July 2015: UFC 189: Lawler vs. MacDonald II
Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald's welterweight title fight, which took place at UFC 189 in July 2015, was selected for induction into the UFC Hall of Fame in April 2023.
November 15, 2015: UFC 193 Bout Cancellation
Robbie Lawler was scheduled to face Carlos Condit at UFC 193 on November 15, 2015. However, he had to withdraw from the bout due to a thumb injury.
2015: Second Fight of the Year Award
Robbie Lawler's fight against Rory MacDonald at UFC 189 in 2015 earned him his second Fight of the Year award.
January 2, 2016: UFC 195: Lawler vs. Condit
On January 2, 2016, Robbie Lawler successfully defended his UFC welterweight title against Carlos Condit at UFC 195. Lawler won the fight via a split decision. This victory also earned him his fourth Fight of the Night bonus award.
July 30, 2016: UFC 201: Lawler vs. Woodley
Robbie Lawler faced Tyron Woodley at UFC 201 on July 30, 2016, in a welterweight title fight. Lawler lost the fight and his title via knockout in the first round.
November 12, 2016: UFC 205 Bout Declination
Robbie Lawler was briefly scheduled to fight Donald Cerrone at UFC 205 on November 12, 2016. However, he declined the fight to allow himself more recovery time following his previous loss to Tyron Woodley. Kelvin Gastelum replaced Lawler for the bout.
2016: Third Fight of the Year Award
Robbie Lawler's fight against Carlos Condit at UFC 195 in 2016 earned him his third Fight of the Year award.
June 2017: Matt Hughes Accident
In June 2017, retired mixed martial artist Matt Hughes was involved in a serious truck accident. Robbie Lawler dedicated his victory against Donald Cerrone at UFC 214 to Hughes.
July 8, 2017: UFC 213 Bout Postponement
Robbie Lawler was set to face Donald Cerrone at UFC 213 on July 8, 2017. However, the fight was postponed after Cerrone sustained a staph infection and pulled groin.
July 29, 2017: UFC 214: Lawler vs. Cerrone
On July 29, 2017, at UFC 214, Robbie Lawler secured a unanimous decision victory against Donald Cerrone. Following the fight, Lawler dedicated the win to Matt Hughes, who was recovering from a serious truck accident that occurred in June 2017.
December 16, 2017: UFC on Fox: Lawler vs. dos Anjos
Robbie Lawler faced Rafael dos Anjos on December 16, 2017, in the main event of UFC on Fox. Lawler lost the fight via unanimous decision and suffered a torn ACL, which sidelined him for the entirety of 2018.
2017: Voted Best Fight in UFC History by ESPN Poll
Robbie Lawler's 2015 fight against Rory MacDonald was voted the best fight in UFC history in an ESPN poll in 2017.
2018: Injury Hiatus
Robbie Lawler was forced to take a year off from fighting in 2018 to recover from an ACL tear sustained during his fight against Rafael dos Anjos.
March 2, 2019: UFC 235: Lawler vs. Askren
Robbie Lawler faced Ben Askren on March 2, 2019, at UFC 235. Lawler was initially seen as having the upper hand; however, he lost the fight via bulldog choke in a controversial stoppage by referee Herb Dean. Many believed that Lawler had not passed out and the fight was stopped prematurely. Despite the controversy, Nevada State Athletic Commission director Bob Bennett supported Dean's decision.
May 16, 2019: Tyron Woodley Injury
On May 16, 2019, it was announced that Tyron Woodley had sustained a hand injury, forcing him to withdraw from his scheduled rematch against Robbie Lawler at UFC on ESPN 3.
June 29, 2019: UFC on ESPN 3 Bout Cancellation
A rematch between Robbie Lawler and Tyron Woodley was scheduled for UFC on ESPN 3 on June 29, 2019; however, the bout was canceled after Woodley withdrew due to a hand injury.
August 3, 2019: UFC on ESPN 5: Lawler vs. Covington
Robbie Lawler fought Colby Covington at UFC on ESPN 5 on August 3, 2019, losing the bout via unanimous decision.
October 12, 2019: Santiago Ponzinibbio Withdraws from UFC 245
On October 12, 2019, it was revealed that Santiago Ponzinibbio had pulled out of his scheduled fight against Robbie Lawler at UFC 245 due to a staph infection.
December 14, 2019: UFC 245 Bout Cancellation
Robbie Lawler was expected to face Santiago Ponzinibbio at UFC 245 on December 14, 2019. However, Ponzinibbio withdrew from the bout due to a staph infection.
August 29, 2020: UFC Fight Night 175: Lawler vs. Magny
Robbie Lawler faced Neil Magny at UFC Fight Night 175 on August 29, 2020. Lawler lost the fight via unanimous decision.
November 21, 2020: UFC 255 Bout Withdrawal
Robbie Lawler was scheduled to fight Mike Perry at UFC 255 on November 21, 2020. Unfortunately, Lawler had to withdraw from the bout due to injuries.
September 25, 2021: UFC 266: Lawler vs. Diaz 2
Robbie Lawler faced Nick Diaz in a rematch at UFC 266 on September 25, 2021. The fight was contested at middleweight and was scheduled for five rounds. Lawler won the fight via TKO in the third round after Diaz was knocked down and could not return to his feet at the referee's instruction.
July 2, 2022: UFC 276: Lawler vs. Barberena
On July 2, 2022, Robbie Lawler faced Bryan Barberena at UFC 276. Lawler lost a back-and-forth fight via TKO in the second round. Despite the loss, the bout earned him a Fight of the Night award.
December 10, 2022: UFC 282 Bout Withdrawal
Robbie Lawler was scheduled for a fight against Santiago Ponzinibbio at UFC 282 on December 10, 2022. However, an undisclosed injury forced him to withdraw from the bout.
April 8, 2023: UFC Hall of Fame Announcement
It was announced on April 8, 2023, that Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald would be inducted into the UFC Fight Wing Hall of Fame for their welterweight title fight, which took place in July 2015. The induction ceremony will occur in July 2023.
July 8, 2023: UFC 290: Lawler vs. Price
On July 8, 2023, Robbie Lawler faced Niko Price at UFC 290 in his retirement bout, winning the fight via knockout just 38 seconds into the first round.
July 2023: UFC Hall of Fame Induction
Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in July 2023, for their welterweight title fight in July 2015.
2023: Retirement from MMA
Robbie Lawler retired from professional mixed martial arts in 2023.
2023: Induction into UFC Hall of Fame Fight Wing
Robbie Lawler's 2015 fight against Rory MacDonald was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame Fight Wing in 2023, solidifying its place as one of the greatest fights in MMA history.