After over a year out due to a leg injury, Robbie Lawler enters his fight at UFC 235 with Ben Askren feeling stronger than ever.
After over a year away from the Octagon due to a leg injury, former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler says he is feeling better than ever ahead of his fight with Ben Askren at UFC 235.
Lawler (28-12, 1 NC) last fought in December 2017 when he lost a unanimous decision to Rafael dos Anjos. He tore both his ACL and his meniscus in that fight, which led to a slow and tedious comeback process for Lawler. (via MMA Fighting)
“I didn’t know why [the injury] happened or how it happened. I just knew that it was gonna be a blessing. As soon as it happened, I was laid up in my room with my leg elevated, thinking ‘I’m gonna make the best out of this injury.’ That’s what I did. I got back to the grind, started working, didn’t rush anything. Got to spend more time with my family, which was huge. Got to work on other aspects other than just fighting.
“And I got to start from the ground up,” Lawler said. “Basically, I could barely walk. Then it was just like start building, start from scratch. How can I get better?”
After winning the welterweight title back in his rematch with Johny Hendricks, the 36-year-old successfully defended it twice before losing to Tyron Woodley in July 2016. Lawler will hope to pick up his first win in over 18-months against Askren at UFC 235, as the “Ruthless” one hasn’t been in the win column since defeating Donald Cerrone at UFC 214.
“My body is stronger than it’s ever been before,” Lawler said. “I would say I’m a better version of myself. I’ve had room to grow. I’ve just had time to reflect and I’m building. I’m trying to get better in all aspects, not just fighting. I’m trying to learn and trying to develop different parts of my life. That’s what I’ve been doing the past year and that’s what I’ll continue to do it. It’s just evolution and trying to get better in every way.”
UFC 235 takes place this coming weekend, March 2nd, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Headlined by a light heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Anthony Smith, a welterweight title fight between Woodley and Kamaru Usman will also feature on the card.