Robbie Lawler Returns at UFC 157, Fights Josh Koscheck

"Ruthless" Robbie Lawler

Robbie Lawler vs Josh Koscheck at UFC 157

After spending a little over eight years away from the UFC, TUF veteran and former Elite XC middleweight champion "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler will  drop back down to welterweight to face Josh Koscheck at UFC 157 in February.

Since leaving the UFC after a unanimous decision loss to the late Evan Tanner in Octoberof 2004, Lawler has fought in various other organizations, the most recent of which a three year stint in Strikeforce.  This upcoming match will also be his first fight at welterweight since he lost to Nick Diaz at UFC 47.

Lawler has had only moderate success outside of the UFC, struggling with inconsistency despite winning the Elite XC middleweight belt and competing for the Strikeforce championship of the same division.

Aside from his defeat of Chris Lytle in 2003, Lawler is yet to earn a victory over a true top contender in his twelve year MMA career. A win over Koscheck would easily be the biggest of his life, finally propelling him back into relevancy within the highest level of competition in the world.

Prior to his unanimous decision loss to Johny Hendricks at UFC on FOX 3 last May, Koshceck was riding a two fight win streak. The long-time welterweight stand out was originally scheduled to fight Jake Ellenberger last September, but was forced to withdraw due to injury.

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