Garrett Derr: Tom, you’ve been around the sport for a long time now. You’ve often been referred to as “Filthy.” Why is that and what is the specific meaning behind your nickname?
Tom Lawlor: “Because I literally lived in a dumpster for 44 years. I haven’t showered in the past 22 years, and one time I tried to eat a disease infested giraffe.”
GD: I know you’re a lover of food and you like to put down your fair share of cheeseburgers, pizza and the list goes on. Breaking down the food pyramid, what is your absolute favorite food?
TL: “Human placenta. Ever had it? It is a delicacy in many countries and is absolutely delicious.”
GD: Many recognize you as the craziest fighter to have ever stepped inside the Octagon. Why do you think this is and would you agree with that statement?
TL: “No, not at all. Bleacher Report once listed Dave Herman as the No. 1 character in MMA, and me No. 2. He deserves his ranking. I think he is literally insane.”
GD: You’re a fan of Hulk Hogan, so how long did it take you to make the Hulk Hogan costume? How was it made? Did you spend time watching Hogan tapes to mimic him?
TL: “I’m not a Hulk Hogan fan actually. It took very little time, and based on the fact that Hulk Hogan does the same thing every match or promo, I didn’t have to watch very much tape to replicate him.”
GD: You’re coming off a tough loss to Chris Weidman at UFC 139 where he submitted you with your favorite choke. How hard was this loss to overcome? Was this something you were able to push aside or is it still bothering you today?
TL: “Bother me? No. What bothers me is when people ride their bikes in the middle of the road and hold up traffic.
“If I sat around and dwelled on losses, I would hate my life. Not saying I don’t hate it anyways, but that isn’t a reason for it. I mostly hate my life because dinosaurs attack me daily and it makes it hard to get anything done.”
GD: You’ll be meeting Jason MacDonald in what might be the most important fight of your life. Are you approaching this fight with the fun-loving mindset that you always do or is it time to take things a little more seriously?
TL: “Business. I even went as far as to go to the local haircut shop and told them I wanted the business cut.”
GD: What can we expect in terms of your entrance at UFC on Fuel? Anything worth getting excited over?
TL: “No. Pregnancies, large sums of cash and eating challenges. Those are things to get excited over. An MMA entrance? Save your emotions, people.”
GD: You wrestled at 235 pounds in college. That’s a huge change as you’re now getting in the Octagon at 185 pounds. Do you feel natural at 185 or could we even see you experiment with a higher weight class as you progress in your career?
TL: “I’ve asked the UFC to let me fight at heavyweight and I was told no. I am also undefeated in the UFC at light heavyweight. I don’t mind cutting weight; it is the dieting before the cut that I find problematic.
“I can lose 15 to 20 pounds in a few days and it doesn’t mentally drain me, but not eating what I want for the two to three months before then is downright brutal.”
GD: You’re in one of the most talked-about divisions in all of MMA. Obviously you’re accompanied by the middleweight champion, Anderson Silva, and the people’s champion, Chael Sonnen. Who wins this showdown and why?
TL: “It will be a draw. Then I will insert myself into the feud and make it a three-way dance off. I, of course, will win, probably by DQ.”
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