Robbie Lawler: I'm no underdog against Khamzat Chimaev

Former UFC champion Robbie Lawler is exuding complete confidence ahead of his upcoming wrestling match against Khamzat Chimaev. The two combat sports stars will square off at RAF 14 on October 23 at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas, streaming live on Fox Nation.

The matchup will mark Lawler's promotional debut, whereas Chimaev already boasts an unblemished 3-0 record under the RAF banner. While the Chechen-born standout's grappling dominance is well-documented, the veteran Lawler warned fans and pundits not to underestimate his ground skills, even if his career was largely defined by his striking.

"It's obvious that throughout my career, I mostly used wrestling for takedown defense to stay on my feet and knock people out. But I can wrestle," Lawler told MMA Junkie Radio. "You can't compete at this high of a level without knowing how to wrestle. Before returning to the UFC, I spent years actively wrestling at the Hawk club. I'm constantly sparring with younger guys, so the skills are there. I'm in great shape, and I'm comfortable in those positions. I love competing and I feel strong. People might not realize what I'm capable of, but that doesn't worry me at all."

Chimaev is renowned for his trademark aggression and intense stare-downs during faceoffs. While Lawler has traditionally maintained a calm, composed demeanor outside the cage, his opponent's intensity has never been an issue for the former champion.

"I respect everyone, and high tension is just part of it because we're going out there for serious competition," Lawler said. "He wants to win, and I want to win, so the energy is going to be massive. When two competitors at this level clash, sparks are bound to fly. I don't have to be angry or hate my opponent, but he'll find out very quickly that I'm stepping onto the mat for a real fight."

Lawler has not competed since retiring from mixed martial arts with a vintage knockout win over Niko Price at UFC 290 in 2023. When asked whether he plans a long-term run in RAF, the former welterweight king noted he is currently focused solely on the upcoming bout.

"Right now, it's just a one-fight deal, although we've had talks about future appearances. Let's get through this match first and see where things go. Everything happened really fast, so I just decided to accept the challenge and handle business," Lawler concluded.