Abbreviated Fight History: Robbie Lawler began training in his youth in Tae Kwon Do and then practiced wrestling in high school. At 20 years old, his natural abilities made him a good fit in the Miletich camp. Lawler brings in a record of 10-1 with victories in the IFC against Landon Shalter (knocking him out), in Extreme Challenge against Marco Macera (TKOing him) and “Shogun” Kawakatsu at the Shogun show in Hawaii (TKOing him too). Then he fought Aaron Riley at UFC 37: High Impact and won a hard-fought decision. He didn’t let up in the UFC 37.5 show, punishing Steve Berger and lending credence to his legend as a quick finisher. Then at UFC 40: Vendetta, Robbie battled Tiki Ghosn. Tiki has had no luck in the UFC and was out to change his destiny at Lawler’s expense. However, it was not to be. Ghosn’s leg kicks were effective but he was caught with an overhand right and dropped to the floor of the cage. Then last April Lawler showed signs of being human when Pete Spratt was able to stop the ruthless one with leg kicks.
Lawler/Shogun Kawakatsu: Lawler fought the appropriately named “Shogun” Kawakatsu at the Shogun show in Hawaii. The bout was especially impressive given the ferocity that “Shogun” usually brings to the ring. Lawler floored the Shooto veteran and when he got back to his feet, Robbie ended the experiment with a punishing combination forcing the fighter back down to the mat.
Lawler/Aaron Riley: Lawler opened with deadly accuracy, landing knees to the face and combination punches that would’ve finished the night for most fighters. Riley shook them off as if he had been awoken from a nap. They continued in a heated exchange until less than two minutes were left when Lawler lands a right-left combination that sends Riley to the canvas. Stunned but not out of the fight, Riley defends from the mat and continues to eat punches. Lawler stands up and they continue trading strikes in the center of the ring. Robbie is in control and manages another takedown with under 20 seconds left. Round two offered action of the same intensity but Riley had his moments of pressure in this one. They traded blows in the side of the cage in one of the most magnificent display of strikes seen in the octagon. Lawler got a pair of takedowns and held his own but it was unquestionably Riley’s best round. The third opens with a kicking exchange and Riley eventually getting Lawler’s back from the standing position. Overall, it was ineffective and appeared to just make Riley tired as he was bounced to the mat and punched in the face for his efforts. Lawler was in control again and landing strikes in succession. After a short stoppage to get Riley’s mouthpiece back, Lawler unloaded again and scored another takedown. Back up and down, they traded again and again, landing uppercuts and straight rights until the final bell sounded. Lawler took the decision.
Lawler/Steve Berger: At UFC 37.5, Lawler faced Shooto veteran Steve Berger. The two exchanged strikes and Berger got a takedown but Lawler was right back up. Robbie was attacking the body strong and brought Steve to the mat, keeping him there until the end of the round. The second round was just underway when Lawler landed a punch putting Berger into the fence. He followed up with further strikes and the bout was over.
Lawler/Khalil Ghosn: Tiki came out of the gate throwing leg kicks and they were effective. Lawler counters with short right hooks and an occasional combination. Ghosn looked good early and you could say he was setting the tempo of the bout. They continue to circle and Ghosn lands an inside leg kick to the upper thigh and moves in to strike. They exchange in the corner, Ghosn firing fast and even landing an other roundhouse kick but Lawler paws at him with the right hand and drops him to the mat. It wasn’t a clean strike but Lawler seized the opportunity and pounded Ghosn on the mat with a series of rights and opens a big ugly cut over the right eye. The referee calls a halt to the bout but Ghosn, somewhat in denial about the way he got caught, feels the bout was stopped solely because of the cut.
Lawler/Pete Spratt: Early on, the fighters exchanged kicks and Lawler got a double leg takedown. Robbie tried to pass to half guard but Spratt stood up, only to be brought back down to the canvas. Spratt was mounted and even gave Lawler his back but was able to stand up and landed a high kick. Pete caught Robbie with an accidental groin strike and it seemed as though Lawler was showing signs of fatigue after that. Spratt was connecting with heavy lower body strikes and bruising Lawler’s legs. In turn, Robbie was able to score in the clinch where he’s most effective and open cut on Spratt's right eye. There was a momentary stoppage to look at it but the fight went on. Spratt continued to punish Lawler standing and score with heavy leg kicks. One kick in particular took the life out of Lawler’s attacks as after a few minutes Robbie could no longer put weight on the leg. Lawler quit suddenly and Spratt’s precise Muay Thai striking was more effective than Lawler’s brawling fighting style. Lawler/Chris Lytle: Discussed under Chris Lytle bio.
Strengths And Weaknesses: His game is standing. He throws heavy uppercuts, hooks and crosses with accuracy in a raw street fighting style. Lawler is a fan of Mike Tyson and it definitely shows in the ring. He put Aaron Riley on the canvas with some hard shots and continued to unload for 15 minutes. At the same time, we’ve seen very little of Lawler on the mat. And when he gets up from an encounter on the canvas, he looks winded. As I’ve said in the past, the situation reminds me of the one we saw concerning a young Vitor Belfort. When a fighter works so hard to avoid taking the fight somewhere, it makes you wonder. He has obviously trained on the ground as a part of the Miletich camp but from the brief glimpses we’ve seen don’t inspire confidence in his abilities there.
How He Can Beat Diaz: On the feet. Lawler is a force to deal with in the stand-up game and he can put together the combinations to punish the opposition and avoid the mat entirely. If he crowds Diaz, frustrates him with crisp combinations and blazing hand speed, this bout will be over rather quickly.
NICK DIAZ: American grappler, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter, Stockton Pankration Champion, WEC Middleweight Champion, IFC U.S. and Americas Welterweight Champion, Ultimate Athlete 8-man tournament finalist, Shooto veteran, Warriors Quest veteran, trains with Cesar Gracie, Gil Castillo, David Terrell, Steve Heath and the Cesar Gracie Team, with a 9-2 record in MMA, making his 2nd appearance (1-0) in the UFC
Abbreviated Fight History: Nick was a swimmer and all-around athlete prior to studying Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Being a representative of the respected Cesar Gracie Camp coupled with his inclination to take fights on short notice got Diaz opportunities to fight in quality shows very early on in his MMA career. Few fighters get bouts in Shooto, the IFC and the short-lived Ultimate Athlete shows so early in their career. Below are just a few of Diaz’s most significant contests:
Diaz/Kuniyoshi Hironaka: Diaz lost a controversial split decision in a bout many feel he won at the Shooto 2002 Year End Show.
Diaz/Chris Lytle: Nick shocked many by beating the HOOK’n’SHOOT 170 lb. champion by decision in the IFC in just his second pro fight.
Diaz/Joe Hurley: Again, Diaz derails another veteran. This time it was Joe Hurley. Diaz was scoring on the feet and dominating the Lion’s Den fighter early. On the mat Nick applied a Kimura armlock that nearly had Joe’s elbow breaking through the skin. The bout was stopped and like a pro, Diaz showed serious concern for his opponent’s well-being in the ring.
Diaz/Jeremy Jackson: In the rematch, a bout at IFC Warriors Challenge 18, Nick returned the favor and pounded out the win via TKO late in the 1st round. And in the most recent 3rd bout, Diaz was able to stop Jackson in the final round with an armbar submission
Strengths And Weaknesses: He fights out of a Gracie camp. What do you think his strength is? He’s a submission machine and works the ground like a surgeon. His hands are developing nicely but he is most comfortable on the mat.
How He Can Beat Lawler: On the mat. Lawler still hasn’t shown he can hold his own on the ground against an accomplished grappler. If Diaz is persistent, he will bring Robbie down, hold on to a limb and mimic the crocodiles’ “death roll” until something breaks.
MY PICK: Diaz. One has to think very carefully before they decide to trade on the feet with Lawler so I don’t expect Nick to stay standing if he doesn’t have to. The Lawler/Lytle bout showed some possible weaknesses in Robbie’s game on the ground. Lawler is strong standing or grounded, no one would argue that point. However, if he makes it his goal to stick to Robbie like flypaper and keep him on the canvas until a technique is sunk in. I feel it will be Diaz by submission in the 2nd Rd.
DOWN THE ROAD:
Lawler/Sean Sherk: Diaz is going to test Robbie on the ground but in a more submission-oriented jiu-jitsu way. Sherk would wrestle and work to outmuscle Lawler on the mat.
Lawler/Georges St. Pierre: The jiu-jitsu striker took out judo prodigy Karo Parisyan and if Lawler gets past Diaz, this bout would be great.
Diaz/Rich Crunkilton: “Cleat” is healthy now and ready to step back in the cage. Diaz steps up to big competition so this one is tailor made for the UFC.
Diaz/John Alessio: Alessio has just two losses since his defeat at the hands of Pat Miletich at UFC 26 in June of 2000. His return is long overdue.