Robbie Lawler, the former UFC welterweight champion, is set to retire after his upcoming fight against Niko Price at UFC 290 in Las Vegas on July 8. UFC president Dana White announced Lawler’s retirement and his induction into the UFC Hall of Fame two days prior to his fight, as part of the International Fight Week festivities. Lawler will be inducted alongside Rory MacDonald for their historic battle at UFC 189 in 2015.
White shared the news of Lawler’s retirement on social media saying, “I found Robbie Lawler when he was 19 years old and UFC 290 will be final fight of his amazing 22 year career.” The Lawler vs. Price fight will headline the prelims for UFC 290.
Lawler has been competing professionally since 2001 and joined the UFC roster a year later. He left the promotion in 2005, fighting in several other organizations before returning to the UFC, where he claimed the welterweight title in 2014. He defended the belt twice, including in his 2016 Fight of the Year against Carlos Condit.
In addition to Lawler vs. Price, the UFC 290 prelims will also feature welterweight matchups between Jack Della Maddalena and Sean Brady, as well as Yazmin Jauregui and Denise Gomes. The main event of the card will be a featherweight title unification bout between Alexander Volkanovski and Yair Rodriguez.