Top 5 Stories of the Week
Robbie Lawler is headed back to the Octagon for the first time
since 2004. | Photo: Dave Mandel
More than eight years have passed since Robbie Lawler competed inside the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s hallowed Octagon. The result -- a triangle choke submission defeat to the late Evan Tanner at UFC 50 -- sent the then 22-year-old knockout artist out into MMA’s wild, where he captured championships inside the Superbrawl, Icon Sport and EliteXC promotions.
Now 30, Lawler will return to the world’s most prominent MMA organization when he collides with Josh Koscheck at UFC 157 on Feb. 23 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. It will serve as his first appearance as a welterweight since his infamous UFC 47 loss to Nick Diaz.
Lawler will not enter the cage with the benefit of momentum, as he has compiled a 3-5 record over his past eight appearances. The Pat Miletich protégé last fought under the Strikeforce banner in July, when he wound up on the wrong side of a unanimous decision against Lorenz Larkin.
The stories of interest on Sherdog.com this week:
A ‘Ruthless’ Return
Another Emelianenko Exit
Welterweight Menu
Pulling Rank
MMA’s Rushmore
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