While promoting his upcoming title defense against Tyron Woodley at UFC 201, UFC Welterweight Champion Robbie Lawler spoke about the once rumored champion vs. champion match between himself and UFC Featherweight Champion “The Notorious” Conor McGregor.
If you take “Ruthless” Robbie’s word for it, McGregor should avoid a fight with him at all costs.
Lawler spoke with Zach Klein of WSB-TV recently and when the topic of a potential fight with McGregor came up, the reigning UFC 170 pound champion pointed out how he “would take his soul.”
“I’m a lot different than most people,” said Lawler. “He found a way out. And Diaz took his neck and was nice to him. I’m just telling it like it is and how I saw it.”
Prior to losing to Nate Diaz at UFC 196, there was talk of a McGregor vs. Lawler bout for Lawler’s 170-pound title. As Lawler explains, it “wouldn’t have been good” for McGregor to take that fight.
“I wasn’t too worried about it,” said Lawler. “Obviously, that was a big fight. He’s a big draw but it wouldn’t have been good for him.”
Lawler continued, explaining that if the fight were to materialize, he is a professional and he would do his job as such.
“We’re both professional. We’ve been doing this a long time,” Lawler told Klein. “It’s part of the business, promoting fights. When the octagon door closes, a different business is gonna start. As soon as they say, ‘let’s get it on!’ I’m ready to fight. I don’t need to waste any energy. I’m just always ready to go so when they unleash me, it’s time.”
UFC 201: Lawler vs. Woodley is scheduled for July 30, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. Join us here on 7/30 for live coverage of the event.