Following a one-sided loss to Neil Magny this weekend, Robbie Lawler's losing streak has now risen to four straight losses and many are calling for the former welterweight champion to step away from the octagon for good.
It's hard to imagine just over four years ago, Ruthless was at the top of the mountain and seemingly putting on fight of the night contenders no matter who he faced, but his TKO loss at the hands of Tyron Woodley has seemingly done irreversible damage and Lawler hasn't looked the same since.
But is it really time for the 38-year-old to hang up his gloves for good? Yes, he hasn't looked great in his last four fights, but it can be argued that it isn't father time that's caused Lawler to lose four straight fights, but unfavourable matchups.
All four of Lawler's recent losses have come against grapplers, men who have exploited his weakness on the ground and denied him the opportunity to show us what he does best and that's throw hands. Rafael Dos Anjos, Ben Askren, Colby Covington and now Magny have all taken the fight to the ground and managed to dominate the former champ, leaving him with no answer to their gameplans. Sure, he's looked really poor in all four fights and hasn't even come close to beating any of his opponents, but this isn't how Ruthless should go out.
Is retirement on the horizon? Sure. Is Lawler far past his prime? Of course, but should he hang up the gloves after being out grappled to a disappointing decision loss? Hell no! Let Robbie do what he does best, go out swinging. If his next fight is to be his final, let it be against another striker. Let the UFC legend give fans one final all-out war before he rides off into the sunset. None of his recent opponents have shown a willingness to stand and bang with Lawler and for good reason, Ruthless is one of the best knockout artists the welterweight division has ever seen and the California native has earned the right to go out on his own terms and in the ideal matchup.
The likes of Mike Perry, Niko Price and Diego Sanchez immediately spring to mind as men who can put on an absolute war with Lawler and with Sanchez also heading towards retirement, a fight between the two makes a lot of sense.
Famed for putting on his own wars, Sanchez is facing Jake Matthews at UFC 253, but regardless of the result, the Ultimate Fighter season one winner is the perfect opponent for Lawler to face in a possible retirement fight.
Just let Ruthless go out how we've all come to know him, throwing hands and embarking on yet another fight of the night contender.
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