MMA retirement bouts don’t typically end well for those riding off into the sunset. But for Robbie Lawler, his career was capped off in fairytale fashion at UFC 290.
In what was declared ahead of time as his final MMA bout, Lawler (30-16 MMA, 15-10 UFC) knocked out Niko Price (15-7 MMA, 7-7 UFC) with some vintage clinch work 38 seconds into Round 1. The welterweight bout closed out the preliminary card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
As he walked to the cage to the “Last of the Mohicans” theme song, Lawler displayed rare glimpses of emotion. When he stood on the apron before he entered the cage, Lawler slowly turned in a full circle as he nodded, seemingly soaking in the moment.
The fight itself would last less than a minute. Lawler and Price engaged in the clinch. After a few uppercuts and an overhand, Price crumped to the canvas unconscious. Lawler walked off, much to the delight of the crowd.
The final walk of a legend's career!
Robbie Lawler on his way to the Octagon one last time #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/fHiYWX9VHg
— UFC (@ufc) July 9, 2023
ROBBIE LAWLER GETS THE KO IN 38 SECONDS IN HIS FINAL UFC FIGHT 😳 #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/8ZV3mdUXWD
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 9, 2023
After the fight, the UFC and commentator Joe Rogan played a special video highlight package of Lawler’s career, as he stood in the cage – a deviation from the norm. As Lawler watched his 22-year career compressed into a professionally produced four-minute video, tears rolled.
Upon the video’s conclusion, the fans erupted into the loudest cheers of the night to that point. Lawler thanked them for their support over the years.
An incredible end to a legendary career
Thanks for all the memories, @Ruthless_RL 🙌 #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/vgoiY4YKwN
— UFC (@ufc) July 9, 2023
One last time on the mic for 'Ruthless' Robbie Lawler 🥲 #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/XwjpPFlBdF
— UFC (@ufc) July 9, 2023
Lawler retires with a legacy as one of the consensus best welterweights in UFC history. A former champion who defended his title twice, Lawler engaged in numerous battles throughout his stints with UFC, Strikeforce, Elite XC, IFL, and more.
His UFC 289 (2015) battle vs. Rory MacDonald was inducted into the Fight Wing of the UFC Hall of Fame on Friday. Other memorable battles include his knockout of Nick Diaz, his title-clinching performance against then-champion Johny Hendricks at UFC 181 in 2014, and his all-out brawl with Carlos Condit at UFC 195 in 2016.
Other career wins for Lawler include Donald Cerrone, Matt Brown, Josh Koscheck, Matt Lindland, Melvin Manhoef, Frank Trigg, Murilo Rua, Chris Lytle, and Tiki Ghosn, among others.
Up-to-the-minute UFC 290 results include:
- Robbie Lawler def. Niko Price via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:38
- Tatsuro Taira def. Edgar Chairez via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
- Denise Gomes def. Yazmin Jauregui via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 0:20
- Alonzo Menifield def. Jimmy Crute via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 1:55
- Vitor Petrino def. Marcin Prachnio via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 3, 3:42
- Cameron Saaiman def. Terrence Mitchell via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:10
- Jesus Aguilar def. Shannon Ross via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 0:17
- Esteban Ribovics def. Kamuela Kirk via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 290.
