Robbie Lawler on being the underdog: 'I'm going to prove you wrong'
When Robbie Lawler knocked down Rory MacDonald in the third round of their fight at UFC 167 in November 2013, it sealed the victory for the 14-year veteran while earning him a shot at the welterweight title just a few months later.
The fight ended in a split decision, but as Lawler had his hand raised and he looked back across the Octagon at MacDonald, he knew this wasn't going to be the end of their story.
MacDonald has often been hailed as the future of the welterweight division. And while UFC 189 will mark his first shot at the title, Lawler was well aware that he wouldn't get to finish his career without facing the upstart Canadian at least one more time.
"As soon as I beat him and I came back to the locker room, my coach said, 'We're going to see that kid again'" Lawler told FOX Sports recently. "So my coach has always been paying attention to him. I think he's a really good fighter and a really tough guy, he comes from a really good camp and he's growing. He's going to continue to grow."
Since their last fight, Lawler has gone 3-1 with three victories in a row including his win over Johny Hendricks to secure the welterweight title. MacDonald picked up three consecutive wins to earn another shot at Lawler with the belt on the line this time and it won't get much bigger than being part of the UFC 189 card next weekend in Las Vegas.
As close as their last fight was in 2013, Lawler and MacDonald know that the differences separating them are minor in detail but potentially major in execution.
For instance, Lawler has gone five rounds in three of his last four fights while MacDonald has only prepared for one five-round fight his entire career. Conditioning seemed to play a major factor in their last bout as Lawler surged late and MacDonald faded.
"I just know that I'm going to be ready for five rounds," Lawler promised. "I'm going to be ready for five rounds hard and I'm going to be ready to go out there and dominate. I don't concentrate too much about how he's coming into it. I'm going to concentrate on how I'm coming into it -- ready to go, in shape and healthy."
Lawler's readiness for five rounds can't be questioned after his last few fights, but another number that is definitely shocking as he gets ready for his first title defense is +165.
That's how big an underdog Lawler is rated at by most sports books ahead of his fight with MacDonald, which is rather surprising considering he's the incumbent champion and holds a win over the man he's about to face in one week's time.
Lawler doesn't pay too much attention to the odds, but like virtually everything else he's done during his career resurgence in the past few years, he just loves proving people wrong.
"That's just the way it is. Maybe they're seeing something that I'm not seeing. Everyone's got an opinion and not all of them are good ones," Lawler said. "I'm excited to showcase that I'm the better man. Plain and simple.
"It's not more incentive, it's just going to be more to the story of you guys didn't believe in me again. I'm going to prove you wrong -- again."
If there's one more incentive for Lawler to beat MacDonald again, it's holding onto the welterweight title he won but now needs to defend to prove his championship status.
It was Lawler's good friend and UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes who once said that a champion isn't a champion until the belt is won and defended. Lawler agrees and he plans on adding that additional accomplishment to his resume with a second win over MacDonald at UFC 189.
"Obviously, it's huge. It's a huge thing," Lawler said about defending the belt. "I'm going to go out there and showcase my skills. The best part about being a champion is going out and defending your belt so that's what I plan on doing and doing it many times."
