Thankfully, Robbie Lawler is not about to ruin his fairytale UFC retirement with an ill-advised comeback. ‘Ruthless’, of course, is an absolute legend of the game, known for his violent fights and warrior spirit, with his UFC 189 rematch against Rory MacDonald being one of the greatest fights in the history of combat sports.
So when the San Diego native knocked out Nico Price cold in his retirement fight at UFC 290 and walked away into the sunset two years ago, fans were over the moon. After all, most fighters, even the greatest like Anderson Silva, stick around way too long. You either retire on top or you fight long enough to become a scrub. Thus is the immutable rule in combat sports, and while Lawler didn’t quite retire on top like a Khabib Nurmagomedov or Georges St-Pierre, his retirement was more like those guys instead of the Brazilian.
But when it was revealed that Lawler was in the UFC’s testing pool yet again, from which fighters remove themselves post-retirement, fans were concerned. So when ‘Ruthless’ joined Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo on their ‘Pound 4 Pound’ podcast, the hosts naturally asked Lawler if he was indeed planning on coming back.
“All that was is like they tested me at a time where there was a whole bunch of people at the gym. So, then yeah, like it went out there and somebody’s like ‘Oh, it looks like Robbie got tested.’ I’m like, ‘Yeah but I got tested months ago too,’ months before that… I’m still there, getting tested. But I’m retired, I’m freaking [retired],” ‘Ruthless’ said.
MMA: UFC 189-Lawler vs MacDonald Jul 11, 2015 Las Vegas, NV, USA Robbie Lawler red gloves and Rory MacDonald blue gloves fight during their welterweight title bout during UFC 189 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Lawler won via fifth-round TKO. Las Vegas MGM Grand Garden Arena NV USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJoexCamporealex 8691746
This would come as a huge relief to his fans, who did not want him to come back at the age of 43 and possibly get destroyed by younger guys, as has happened to so many veterans. Moreover, it was recently announced that the former welterweight champion would be inducted into the modern wing of the illustrious UFC Hall of Fame. A fitting end for a legend! Speaking of retirements and getting destroyed by youngsters, Kamaru Usman is at the risk of both in his next fight. Let’s look at that front.
Kamaru Usman to face Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta
Kamaru Usman is finally set to return to the Octagon this June for a banger of a matchup. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ has not fought at welterweight since losing his trilogy fight with Leo Edwards in March 2023, who had shockingly dethroned him with a spectacular and historic head-kick in their UFC 278 rematch.
The former welterweight champ did fight Khamzat Chimaev at 185lbs on short notice at UFC 294 in 2023, but has been inactive since then. But that will change soon, as the UFC has announced that the veteran will take on the young and hungry surging knockout artists, Joaquin Buckley, on June 14 atop the UFC Atlanta card in the State Farm Arena.
Usman, of course, is one of the all-time greats and the greatest welterweight of all time, according to Dana White. And yet, he has opened as the betting underdog for most of the bookmakers. To be fair, ‘The Nigerian nightmare’ is 0-3 in his last three, 37 years old, and looks to be approaching the end of his career.
This is why the ‘New Mansa’ clash is so important for him. It will determine whether the Nigerian former champ still has it, or whether it’s time for him to follow Lawler’s example and retire somewhat gracefully. What do you think about Robbie Lawler’s revelations about his speculated UFC return?
The post Robbie Lawler Clears the Air on UFC Comeback Rumors Despite Being ‘Tested’ Multiple Times appeared first on EssentiallySports.
