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.

Robbie Lawler takes in the moment at UFC 290.
“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.