Former United States president Donald Trump is an avid fight fan, and wanted one iconic former world champion to stick around after his last win.
Robbie Lawler, who held the UFC welterweight title for two years between 2014 and 2016, had some of the most thrilling fights in MMA history. But after turning 41 last year, he decided to hang up the gloves with one last fight.
‘Ruthless’ got a rare fairytale ending as he brutally knocked out Niko Price in the first 40 seconds of their bout at UFC 290, before leaving his gloves in the ring. But just minutes later, the former President was begging him to stick around after such an impressive performance.
onald Trump told Robbie Lawler he must fight again after emotional retirement
The 45th president of the United States was in attendance at the T-Mobile Arena for the historic show, which was headlined by Alexander Volkanovski’s featherweight title defence against Yair Rodriguez. And he was watching from backstage as Lawler brutalised Price in his final fight.
And when he met the former world champion in the dressing rooms after the fact, Trump implored him to fight again. New footage captured in the Roku documentary series Fight Inc: Inside The UFC showed the interaction in full.
Promotional boss Dana White can be seen telling the former President “That’s Robbie Lawler’s last fight, he just knocked him out.” Trump responds “oh man.” And when he finally meets Lawler, he can be heard joking that “I’m not fighting this guy,” before telling him “I’ve been a big fan.”
“That was one hell of a [knockout],” Trump says, before turning to White and saying “So he has an option? He can immediately go back, or he can retire!” White then notes that off-camera, Trump told him “You know what this means? He’s not retiring now.”
Robbie Lawler had rare emotional moment during UFC retirement
The Hall of Fame star had warned the promotion and fans beforehand that regardless of the result he would be retiring at the end of his fight. And he was given an emotional send-off as they aired a package of his best highlights over decades of competition.
Lawler is usually one of the most stoic figures in all of combat sport, but was visibly moved by the gesture from the promotion. It’s rare that they will go above and beyond in such a way, but it made for one of the feel good moments of the year.
“This is amazing,” Lawler told Joe Rogan in the octagon after wiping away tears while watching the nostalgic highlights package was done playing. “I’ve had a long career, and I’ve had a lot of people help me get to where I am today. Without them none of this is possible and I’m blessed. I’m grateful.”
And despite Conor McGregor’s declaration that he would return to fighting within the following few months, he has stayed retired ever since. He is now one of the head coaches at Kill Cliff MMA in Florida, and corners the likes of former Bellator champion Logan Storley.
News
FAMILY STATEMENT: Jacob’s mother says he had tried to keep peace with Jenna for their children, but a neighbor reports overhearing an argument outside the home that night… what was said remains unknown, leaving investigators piecing together their last interactions
In a heartbreaking family statement released through relatives and local tributes, Stacy Forde — who would tragically become one of the victims — had reportedly expressed that her son Jacob Lambert consistently tried to maintain peace with Jenna Strouble for…
BREAKING: Texts obtained by police show Jenna Strouble and Jacob Lambert arguing quietly the night of March 22 — she seemed calm, he appeared frustrated… seconds later, witnesses say he left the house without explanation, but what happened in the car moments after is unclear
Newly obtained text messages and witness accounts are adding fresh layers of intrigue and tension to the already shocking triple murder case involving Jenna Strouble in Crete Township, Illinois. On the evening of March 22, 2026, Strouble, 30, allegedly exchanged…
UPDATE: Neighbors report hearing a muffled scream around 7:37PM near Lambert’s car. Seconds later, silence. Police say CCTV shows no one entering or leaving… leaving investigators focused on a single open car door and a gun reportedly hidden under the seat
UPDATE: Neighbors report hearing a muffled scream around 7:37PM near Lambert’s car. Seconds later, silence. Police say CCTV shows no one entering or leaving… leaving investigators focused on a single open car door and a gun reportedly hidden under the…
BREAKING: CCTV reportedly shows Jenna Strouble texting Jacob Lambert at 7:15PM — he steps outside to meet her moments later. Staff at the nearby cafe say he seemed tense, glancing over his shoulder… but what happened during the first 5 minutes of their encounter isn’t visible on camera…
BREAKING: CCTV reportedly shows Jenna Strouble texting Jacob Lambert at 7:15PM — he steps outside to meet her moments later. Staff at the nearby cafe say he seemed tense, glancing over his shoulder… but what happened during the first 5…
“I tried to kill Arielle” — 19‑year‑old Emile Konig told jurors his father Dr Gerhardt Konig confessed as blood stained his shirt on a FaceTime call Prosecutors say Gerhardt then told Emile he planned to jump off a cliff and leave Maui forever Read full story in comments
Hawaii Doctor Testifies Wife ‘Shoved’ Him Atop Cliff and He Attacked Her in Self-Defense, Contradicting Son’s Earlier Testimony Gerhardt Konig is on trial one year after he was accused of trying to push his wife Arielle Konig off a steep…
“Nobody’s coming to save you” was allegedly said by Dr Gerhardt Konig as he pressed Arielle toward a cliff on her birthday hike Prosecutors link that chilling moment to the bloodied scenes jurors watched in bodycam footage Read full story in comments
Jurors shown bodycam of doctor’s bloody wife, rock he allegedly used to bash her in cliffside attack Gerhardt Konig, an anesthesiologist, has denied accusations he attacked his wife during a birthday hike Graphic body camera video and a bloodstained rock…
End of content
No more pages to load
