Robert Glenn "Robbie" Lawler (born March 20, 1982) is an American professional mixed martial artist who has been competing since 2001. He is the former UFC Welterweight Champion. Lawler is also a former EliteXC Middleweight Champion, and has formerly competed in Strikeforce, PRIDE, and the IFL. He is widely considered one of the most consistently entertaining mixed martial artists currently competing, being the only fighter to have won three consecutive "Fight of the Year" awards from Sherdog and MMA Fighting, for his bouts against Johny Hendricks (at UFC 171, in 2014), Rory MacDonald (at UFC 189, in 2015), and Carlos Condit (at UFC 195, in 2016). As of March 27, 2019, he is #10 in the official UFC welterweight rankings.
Lawler was born in San Diego, California, and is of English and Filipino heritage. He moved to Bettendorf, Iowa at the age of ten to live with his father, who served in the Marines. Lawler began training in karate at the age of ten and later attended Bettendorf High School where he received All-State honors in wrestling and football. Lawler was taken under the wing of Pat Miletich when he was 16 years old and began training with Miletich Fighting Systems as soon as he graduated in 2000.