2023 Hall of Fame inductee Robbie Lawler took questions from UFC’s McKenzie Pavacich following his featured prelim victory …
Mackenzie pavset here inside T-Mobile Arena joined by Robbie Lawler after a ruthless Last Dance inside the Octagon Robbie what sort of emotions are you feeling now that this chapter is closed oh it’s a lot just looking back and just thinking about my career and what I’ve accomplished and the ups and downs but it’s really about everyone who boosted me up and helped me and I’m going to continue to be around the sport and do what so many have done for me help other Fighters when you first made your pro debut in 2001 did you imagine that you would the impact on the sport that you have had no I never thought I was just fighting for the love of competition just I’ve done martial arts my whole life and I love competing and this gave me an Avenue to focus on and train for and it’s a blessing to have MMA we were just chatting off camera about how glad you were that you did tell Dana that you know this was going to be the last fight because this week I imagine has been really emotional but also probably a really nice time of reflection for you so when you look back on the decision not only to retire but to include the UFC on that decision do you feel it was the right one yeah I feel it was perfect because I’m like that I’m not gonna do anything I’m just gonna like fade off and just be gone but I think the fans needed to know and get a little glimpse of it and just know that this was going to be my last fight and who better to tell than the boss and then of course we minted Hall of Famer having that ceremony on Thursday the fight week mixed it up but I knew you were cutting weight but you still did join us so what if anything did that add to tonight having the experience of being inducted and getting a one last chance to address fans uh it was nice it was just kind of like what what I was happy about was seeing gens in there and I wanted to be a part of it I slept on his couch when I first started training and just roommates with him and I know he really wanted that so badly and really me being in the Hall of Fame that’s for everyone else is for the fans is for everyone who got me there because I would have accomplished anything without help speaking of that what message do you have to family and friends and training partners and everyone who sacrificed alongside you so that you could make it to this point I want to say thank you I mean this it’s been a long journey a lot of people helped me and without you I wouldn’t be here today well you retire a former Welterweight Champion a Hall of Famer and someone who has truly inspired an entire generation of Fighters so congratulations on an amazing career and we thank you so much thank you