by ldh2013 » Thu Jul 07, 2016 8:21 am
SAN JOSE, Calif. . - Robbie Lawler believes hes ready for another shot at the UFC welterweight championship he let slip through his hands four months ago. A number of fighters in the division can make the same claim. But the 32-year-old Lawler is the clear-cut favourite with four wins and a narrow loss in his five fights since returning to the UFC. "Everythings clicking at the right time," Lawler said. "Before, I wasnt ready for the stage. I didnt want to do these interviews. I didnt want to be in front of the cameras. I just wanted to beat people up and get out. Ive grown up now. Im doing what it takes to be a really good fighter." Lawlers lone loss since coming back was to Johny Hendricks at UFC 171 in March when the two fought for the vacant title left open after former champ Georges St. Pierre stepped down, saying he needed a break from the sport. Lawler (23-10, 19 KOs) is expected to get another crack at Hendricks, provided the top-ranked contender beats knockout artist Matt Brown (21-11, 13 KOs) in Saturdays main event at the SAP Center. It will be the Lawlers fifth fight in the past year. Included in those were knockout wins against Bobby Voelker and Jake Ellenberger, and a split-decision over Rory MacDonald. The win over Ellenberger on May 24 put Lawler firmly back into the title hunt after his loss to Hendricks in March. "Its good. It kept me busy, kept me working," Lawler said. "I didnt have to go into these last two camps trying to get into shape, so I could work on things. I could work on fine-tuning skills and just get better day to day." Lawler left the UFC a decade ago after consecutive losses to Nick Diaz and Evan Turner in 2004. On the fast track since his return, Lawler acknowledged he has watched very little tape of the scrappy Brown, who has won his past seven fights — six by knockout. "I didnt watch any Ellenberger fights either," Lawler said. "I have about five or six coaches that do all the breaking down for me, and then they put me in those situations in practice. Its always worked out pretty good. So when Im in the fight, Ive already been there a million times." Hendricks, on the mend from an arm injury, has already made it clear he expects to fight the winner of the Lawler-Brown matchup, possibly early next year. Thats fine with Lawler, who plans to take a much-needed respite following his fight with Brown. Brown, ranked fifth in the welterweight division, is also looking to use the fight as a springboard into title contention. The 33-year-old veteran fighter hasnt lost since getting submitted by Seth Baczynski at UFC 139 in 2011. Brown is considered one of the most intense fighters in the UFC, and he did nothing to dispel that reputation during a public workout earlier this week. He brushed off talk of being an underdog and took a minor dig at his opponent when asked if he was a fan of Lawler. "I was more of a Nick Diaz fan when he knocked (Lawler) out," Brown said with a laugh. To prepare for the fight, Brown said he reverted back to his former style of training after previously being criticized for overworking. The workouts included carrying wheelbarrows and sleds, along with other fighters, up long, steep mountain trails. "I said, Lets go back to being raw, crazy, stupid ... in our backyard and just wrecking each other every day," Brown said. "I think it worked out good. We brought in tough guys and we just beat the (heck) out of each other. Its called getting back to the primitive, back to the raw, back to whats real. Back to what got me here." . Both times hes left empty. It was War Emblem in 2002. On Saturday, it was California Chromes turn to lose the Belmont after capturing the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. . In beating Mike Smith in the final round of the shootout, Joffrey Lupul gave the Maple Leafs two points they so desperately needed. . - Henrik Samuelsson and Curtis Lazar each had two goals and two assists as the Edmonton Oil Kings secured top spot in the Eastern Conference by defeating the host Red Deer Rebels 7-4 on Saturday in Western Hockey League action.Jamie Langenbrunner, who was on two Stanley Cup-winning teams and who captained the 2010 U.S. Olympic team to a silver medal, has retired from hockey. The National Hockey League Players Association announced Langenbrunners retirement on Wednesday. The veteran forward was not on an NHL roster this season. Langenbrunner, 38, said it was "a dream come true to have the opportunity to play in the NHL for 16 seasons," according to the NHLPA news release. He played for the Dallas Starrs from 1994-2002, winning a Stanley Cup with the team in 1999, and again for part of the 2010-11 season. . He played for the New Jersey Devils for parts of nine seasons, winning another Cup in 2003, and spent his last two seasons with the St. Louis Blues. Last February, Langenbrunner had season-ending hip surgery after playing just four games. He finished his career with 243 goals and 663 points in 1,109 games. He had 34 goals and 87 points in 146 postseason games. ' ' '
