Mailbag: Which fights defined Robbie Lawler’s Hall of Fame MMA career?

With Robbie Lawler headed to the UFC Hall of Fame, what are the fights that best represent his specific brand of delightful barbarism? Did Alex Pereira get exposed at UFC 313, and will it rule out a move to heavyweight? Plus, what kind of interest will TKO’s boxing “league” generate once it finally debuts?

All that and more in this week’s mailbag. To ask a question of your own, hit up @BenFowlkesMMA or @benfowlkes.bsky.social.

Here’s the thing people need to appreciate about Robert Glenn Lawler: He debuted at UFC 37, then had his last fight at UFC 290. He won both of them. That’s a career that spanned 253 numbered UFC fights, and in between he won titles in two other organizations.

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What I’m saying is, it’s not just the high points that make him an all-time great — although the high points were super high and very memorable. It’s also the incredible longevity, the ability to recreate himself again and again across at least three different eras of the sport, and also the growth and maturity he attained without ever losing that signature ferocity.

As for my personal favorite Robbie Lawler fights, in and out of the UFC? I was in the building when he defended his UFC welterweight title in that absolute bloodbath against Rory MacDonald in 2015 and I’ll never forget that one. Also his 2010 fight with Melvin Manhoef in Strikeforce, where Lawler got his legs kicked to shreds before coming back with the one-punch KO and then limping off in celebration.

His knockout of Frank Trigg in Hawaii’s ICON Sport promotion in 2007 was one of the most brutally violent finishes I’ve ever seen (seriously, go watch the end of that fight).

And while not necessarily a competitive fight, I remember when he first came back to the UFC and got Josh Koscheck as an opponent. It was the exact type of fight Lawler always used to lose, going up against a suffocating wrestler. This time he stuffed a takedown and immediately hammered away for the knockout, as if signaling that this UFC run would be different.

But I’ll also never forget the first time I saw him fight in person. It was in 2007, when he fought Eduardo Pamplona in the IFL. I was ringside for that one, typing out live blogs for the IFL website. Pamplona was a tough dude, but the punches Lawler was hitting him with, I could almost feel the shockwave from the impact a few feet away. Just the sound of them, it became instantly clear that Lawler’s punching power was something completely different.

And when I tried to ask him about it afterward, it was like it was no big deal to him. Just another night of work. Lawler was truly special, not only because of what he could do but because of what he willed himself to become. We shall not look upon his like again.

Oh, and as for Justin Gaethje? Now that I’ve gone on and on already, it might be easier to list the fights of his that weren’t incredible.

It’s about time we get some greetings from Greece in this mailbag. Let’s not start second-guessing Alex Pereira’s whole career just because he lost one competitive fight. No one else has run through two different UFC divisions like he has, or put the light heavyweight title up for grabs as frequently and eagerly as he has. Which, if we’re looking for reasons as to why he looked a little hesitant against Magomed Ankalaev on Saturday, is at least worth considering.

This was Pereira’s fourth title fight in less than a year.

If he seemed a bit off, struggling to pull the trigger at times, it could be because anyone who steps into the octagon so frequently is bound to have an off night eventually. I’d still be curious to see Pereira in a rematch. Ankalaev didn’t completely outclass him. Even if this marks the end of Pereira’s UFC title reign for good, let’s not forget that he didn’t debut in the UFC until his mid-30s and still managed to win belts in two divisions within just two years. Even if he’s starting to decline now at almost 38, it doesn’t take away from his greatness in his prime.

I believe that eventually, someone will become a three-division UFC champ (Ilia Topuria might still have a shot). But for Pereira, it would have to span weight classes from middleweight to the heavyweight limit, which is quite a feat. I doubt this version of Pereira could beat Jon Jones or Tom Aspinall. However, I’d still tune in to watch him try. If he wants to move up and challenge the winner (Jones vs. Aspinall being the ideal matchup for the UFC heavyweight title), I’d cancel plans to witness the fight, even if it might not end well for “Poatan” in the end.

The test case for how many people will watch something because Dana White promotes it is Power Slap. It’s a marketing ploy with White using UFC assets and celebrity connections to make it appear cool. While it may seem popular, looking at the numbers on YouTube reveals a different story. TKO’s boxing venture will likely attract initial curiosity due to its novelty, but sustained interest will require big names and fights from the start, which should be feasible with the Saudi wealth fund backing it.

As for grown men getting worked up about Taylor Swift, I can’t speak for others, but personally, I enjoy a lot of her music. My daughter is a fan, so I’ve been exposed to it. Swift’s albums like “Folklore” and “Evermore” have some great tracks. While she may not be a dancer, her talent in writing and singing, playing the guitar and piano, is undeniable. Dancing isn’t a prerequisite for musical success, just look at legends like Bob Dylan, Axl Rose, and Mick Jagger. I suggest we allow Taylor to stand there and do her thing without any interference.

Regarding the UFC champions Belal, Merab, and Magomed, there seems to be a lack of popularity among them. Belal had to fight for the right to display his flag on the UFC website, which is concerning. As for Ankalaev, it’s too early to judge his charisma compared to other Dagestani fighters. Merab, on the other hand, has a dedicated fan base despite his occasional social media mishaps. His infectious enthusiasm seems to resonate with the UFC audience.

In a Twitter post, the question of which Fighting Nerd will win a UFC title first was raised. Caio Borralho seems to have a good chance as he is already ranked in the middleweight division. Jean Silva, while promising, still needs to make a mark in a highly competitive division.

Another tweet questioned how many novice league hockey MVPs one should win before moving to the intermediate level. The author humorously recounts their own experiences of winning MVP titles and highlights the challenges of transitioning to a higher league due to various reasons.

Overall, each individual’s journey in their respective fields presents unique challenges and opportunities for growth. text to improve clarity and readability:

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