NEWARK, N.J. – Robbie Lawler refuses to be baited by Colby Covington ahead of UFC on ESPN 5.
Lawler (28-13 MMA, 13-7 UFC), who meets Covington (14-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) in Saturday’s welterweight headliner, has been a target of Covington since their matchup was first announced. He’s been respectful of “Ruthless,” as a fighter, but expressed some harsh words about his character, particularly in regards to Lawler’s departure from American Top Team.
Covington claims he’s the team captain at ATT, and he accused Lawler of turning his back on the gym after a picture of Tyron Woodley was hung up on the gym walls after he beat Lawler for the 170-pound belt in 2016. Lawler was reluctant to go into detail, but after relocating to the Hard Knocks 365 gym just up the road in South Florida, said he’s comfortable with his current position.
“I don’t really pay attention to those things,” Lawler told MMA Junkie ahead of UFC on ESPN 5. “It’s not a reflection of me. He’s doing what he thinks he needs to do to create whatever he needs to create and I’m just going to stay in my lane and train hard and get ready for fight.
“I don’t really care (what he says). It doesn’t bother me. I’m happy, my family’s happy, I’m happy with where I’m going and how I’m doing. I don’t really look in the past and I’m trying to learn and keep growing and be a better fighter and be a better person.”
UFC on ESPN 5 takes place at Prudential Center. Lawler vs. Covington headlines the card, which airs on ESPN.
Lawler will enter the fight a two-fight skid for the first time since he returned to the UFC in February 2013. He lost a controversial bout to Ben Askren at UFC 235 in March, then was subsequently scheduled to rematch Woodley at UFC on ESPN 4 in July. Woodley pulled out due to injury, though, and on just five weeks’ notice, the UFC called with Covington and Lawler accepted.
Although Covington has been given assurances of a title shot if he wins, Lawler said he hasn’t received the same message, he said.
“There’s been no discussion,” Lawler said. “I’m just focusing on Saturday and getting home and hopefully start working out on Monday and take a few days off then go on a mini-vacation and get back to work the following Monday. It’s just business as usual. Day to day, get my weight down, focus on those things. I’m not really focused on what Dana’s doing or what he said, she said or those aspects of life. It’s just not that important for me.”
A title shot would certainly be nice, but Lawler said he has no set goals outside of winning the next fight against Covington, who has won his past six inside the octagon.
A stark contrast exists between styles when it comes to Lawler, who is known for his powerhouse knockouts, and Covington, who leads active fighters in the division in takedowns landed.
There are no secrets to Lawler’s approach, and he said he’ll be looking for his moment to capitalize on Covington this weekend.
“Obviously all the fights start standing, but he’s going to mix it up on his feet and be well rounded and disguise stuff and keep me off guard,” Lawler said. “I’m definitely ready for stand up and wrestling. … I always try to get knockouts, I always envision knockouts and when I’m training I hit the heavy bags and the pads like I’m going out there and taking somebody out. That’s always the main goal: Go out and be devastating and put some punishment on somebody.”
