Robbie Lawler’s manager David Martin would like to see an immediate rematch booked between Lawler and UFC 235 opponent Ben Askren.
Lawler and Askren met during last Saturday’s event, where the fight ended in controversial fashion after referee Herb Dean called an end to the fight after apparently incorrectly thinking Lawler was unconscious from an Askren bulldog choke. Combine that with the hard spot Askren found himself in just seconds into proceedings, and it’s understandable Lawler and his team feel hard done by.
And in a statement made to MMA News by Martin, it seems team Lawler are all in for a second contest.
“We acknowledge that Ben is a tremendous fighter; coming back from the beating Robbie gave him demonstrates his grit and shows why he has a strong history of winning,” Martin said in his statement. “That is undeniable. However, Ben’s comments speak directly to the fact that there was a lot of time left in the round leading to a lot of unknowns. Things could have dramatically changed in the 1:40 remaining in the round, just as they did a minute into the fight.
“It is unfortunate that Robbie didn’t get his chance to get out of a tough position like Ben was able to do earlier in the round. No one knows, which is why an immediate rematch is warranted. As for an appeal to the commission, nothing has been ruled out. But if this were to occur it would be handled professionally behind closed doors like we do all of our business. Through adversity, Robbie remains a true professional and role model for the sport — someone I certainly want my three boys to look up to.”
Unfortunately for Lawler, Askren has shown no interest in a second bout, and instead plans to fly to London to meet the winner of Darren Till vs. Jorge Masvidal.
