Robbie Lawler signs 4 fight deal with EliteXC

The Iceman · #1 (**permalink**) 08-31-2007, 11:42 AM

Credit To:UFCjunkie

Former UFC contender and current Icon middleweight champion Robbie Lawler (14-4 MMA, 4-3 UFC) probably won’t return to the UFC’s thin 185-pound division anytime soon.

UFCjunkie.com (www.ufcjunkie.com) has confirmed with Elite Xtreme Combat (EliteXC) officials that Lawler has signed a new four-fight deal with the organization.

The 25-year-old Lawler, who defeated Frank Trigg in March to win the Icon middleweight title, next will take on Pride Fighting Championships veteran Marilo “Ninja” Rua in the main event of EliteXC’s Sept. 15 show in Oahu, Hawaii. The event is co-promoted by the Icon and Rumble on the Rock promotions and airs on Showtime.

Rua will put his EliteXC middleweight title on the line.

UFC veteran Nick Diaz, Jake Shields and Gina Carano also compete at the event.

After back-to-back losses (to Diaz and Evan Tanner) and an overall 4-3 record in the UFC, Lawler left the organization in 2004 and his since gone 6-1 fighting for a variety of top organizations, including PRIDE, Icon and the IFL.

With current UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva making quick work of the organization’s top 185-pounders, many fans had hoped that Lawler might make a return to the Octagon. However, even though EliteXC is known for signing fighters to non-exlusive contracts, the UFC doesn’t, making Lawler’s return very unlikely.

Earlier this week, UFCjunkie.com reported that Lawler has joined the upstart Team Hughes and will be an instructor at the team’s training center, which is called H.I.T. (Hughes Intensive Training) Squad.

Link:http://ufcjunkie.com/2007/08/31/robb...-with-elitexc/

The Iceman · #2 (**permalink**) 08-31-2007, 12:25 PM

I honestly thought that Robbie Lawler would have made a great addition to UFC's thin middleweight division or if he didn't want to make the jump to the UFC so quickly they could have put him in the WEC.

Jory · #3 (**permalink**) 08-31-2007, 12:38 PM

Wasn't it Diaz that kicked Lawler's quads so hard, he had to be carried outta the cage? I can't really picture Tanner doing that, but that was only other loss..

ronin · #4 (**permalink**) 08-31-2007, 03:26 PM

They are calling it a unification fight for the middleweight title.
Has Icon been bought out by EliteXC?

smoogy · #5 (**permalink**) 08-31-2007, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronin

They are calling it a unification fight for the middleweight title.
Has Icon been bought out by EliteXC?

Yes

Nelly · #6 (**permalink**) 08-31-2007, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jory

Wasn't it Diaz that kicked Lawler's quads so hard, he had to be carried outta the cage? I can't really picture Tanner doing that, but that was only other loss..

No I'm pretty sure it was Pete Spratt.

Ubermensch · #7 (**permalink**) 08-31-2007, 05:22 PM

I think Elite is being smart and just getting a great MW division and stacking that first it looks like. If they are smart they will get the Free agent HWs which is unlikely because they seem to want to build their own talent but with Lidland, Fedor, Barnett, Coleman and maybe even AA they would be a force in HW in a snap.

yeomans · #8 (**permalink**) 08-31-2007, 07:47 PM

man i wanted to se him back in the ufc, he stills young and will improbe more.

kickass32 · #9 (**permalink**) 08-31-2007, 08:15 PM

I really like Lawler, hopefully after these 4 fights are finisshed, we get to see him in the octagon again!!

jbart321 · #10 (**permalink**) 08-31-2007, 11:43 PM

yeah, it would have been nice to see him in the ufc again. he is pretty lethal to watch and i would like to see him fight some of the ufc's 170lb's.