Robbie Lawler Says He's 'Always Ready' to Fight Georges St-Pierre
Robbie Lawler Says He's 'Always Ready' to Fight Georges St-Pierre
Robbie Lawler discusses his removal at UFC 205 and some details behind a potential showdown with Georges St-Pierre.
Georges St-Pierre is not coming back to the UFC any time soon, but that isn't stopping Robbie Lawler from discussing a potential showdown.
On Monday, during an appearance on The MMA Hour, St-Pierre said he and his lawyer had terminated his UFC contract after failing to reach an agreement. As a result, he said, he is now free to sign with any other promotion.
St-Pierre also revealed he was offered a last-minute fight against former champion Robbie Lawler, but the American Top Team product was still taking time off from MMA after his knockout loss to Tyron Woodley in July. At that point, St-Pierre’s lawyer told him his UFC contract was terminated.
"I knew Robbie Lawler had pulled out of the New York card,” said St-Pierre. “I don't know the reason he pulled out, but I heard in an interview with [Lawler's teammate] he needed a long break. So, the next day, my lawyer told me, 'Georges, now you're a free agent.'"
Too bad that’s not how Lawler remembers it.
"[GSP] says he was offered a fight against me, but I wasn't healthy or whatever,” Lawler told ESPN. “He's basically trying to read between the lines like other people, not knowing what's the matter with me. Nothing is the matter with me.
“Do you accept the fight or not? That's the real question, right? Because I'm ready to fight right now. Did you accept it or not? I'm guessing you didn't. Don't try to hide behind, 'I'm not healthy.' That's not the facts.”
Lawler said if the situation played out as St-Pierre remembered, they'd be fighting.
"I'm always ready to fight that guy,” Lawler continued. “I've been training my whole life to fight a guy like him -- and him, in particular. So don't use my name or try to hide behind something you think might be happening but is not. If he doesn't want the fight, shut up."
Lawler was expected to return against Donald Cerrone on the highly anticipated UFC 205 card Nov. 12. However, not soon after signing the bout agreement, Lawler removed himself from the fight for unspecified reason.
"I think everyone just kind of assumes [health] is the issue, but that's not the facts,” said Lawler. “It's one of those things where I wanted to take a step back and realize what I wanted and why I wanted it. My whole life I've went out there and strived, and this time I needed to take a step back, relax and not rush it -- make sure all the pieces were in the perfect place."
On Monday, during an appearance on The MMA Hour, St-Pierre said he and his lawyer had terminated his UFC contract after failing to reach an agreement. As a result, he said, he is now free to sign with any other promotion.
St-Pierre also revealed he was offered a last-minute fight against former champion Robbie Lawler, but the American Top Team product was still taking time off from MMA after his knockout loss to Tyron Woodley in July. At that point, St-Pierre’s lawyer told him his UFC contract was terminated.
"I knew Robbie Lawler had pulled out of the New York card,” said St-Pierre. “I don't know the reason he pulled out, but I heard in an interview with [Lawler's teammate] he needed a long break. So, the next day, my lawyer told me, 'Georges, now you're a free agent.'"
Too bad that’s not how Lawler remembers it.
"[GSP] says he was offered a fight against me, but I wasn't healthy or whatever,” Lawler told ESPN. “He's basically trying to read between the lines like other people, not knowing what's the matter with me. Nothing is the matter with me.
“Do you accept the fight or not? That's the real question, right? Because I'm ready to fight right now. Did you accept it or not? I'm guessing you didn't. Don't try to hide behind, 'I'm not healthy.' That's not the facts.”
Lawler said if the situation played out as St-Pierre remembered, they'd be fighting.
"I'm always ready to fight that guy,” Lawler continued. “I've been training my whole life to fight a guy like him -- and him, in particular. So don't use my name or try to hide behind something you think might be happening but is not. If he doesn't want the fight, shut up."
Lawler was expected to return against Donald Cerrone on the highly anticipated UFC 205 card Nov. 12. However, not soon after signing the bout agreement, Lawler removed himself from the fight for unspecified reason.
"I think everyone just kind of assumes [health] is the issue, but that's not the facts,” said Lawler. “It's one of those things where I wanted to take a step back and realize what I wanted and why I wanted it. My whole life I've went out there and strived, and this time I needed to take a step back, relax and not rush it -- make sure all the pieces were in the perfect place."