Most Improved MMA Fighter of 2008
2008 marked the return of the “Ruthless” one, Robbie Lawler who has landed himself our most improved mixed martial artist of the year.
One of the very few shining stars for the EliteXC was the improvement and break out year of Robbie Lawler. I remember a testosterone fueled kid that just wanted to let his hands fly and lacked the discipline to apply an effective game plan to beat several top name opponents. I watched him lose to Pete Spratt, Evan Tanner, Jason Miller, and lose an UGLY knockout to Nick Diaz. In the past two years, he’s shown a lot of maturity and poise to beat some of the industries top names in a very convincing fashion.
He’s KO’d Ninja Rua, Frank Trigg, and Scott Smith with good foot work, constant movement, and great patience. He’s defeated two grapplers and a slugger. These opponents are not Hall-Of-Fame fighters, but they are very accomplished, well decorated, and all very different in their disciplines. He’s been able to apply his strengths without exposing his shortcomings in a very methodical fashion and has vastly improved his sprawl-n-brawl tactics. His patience has allowed him to pick a part his opponents without absorbing unnecessary punishment and ultimately imposes his will to overwhelm the opposition with good power and solid accuracy. Hats off to Robbie Lawler for having a good year and a solid run since his stumble in 2006 to Jason Miller
Opinions by MMA Punch contributor Jon Terrazas
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