A history of barnburners: Recap six of Robbie Lawler’s best victories ahead of UFC on ESPN+ 33

When Geoff Neal was forced out of his fight with Neil Magny at UFC on ESPN+ 33 earlier this month, the UFC picked up the phone and called on a former champion to step into the breach.

Former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler promptly signed on the dotted line as he agreed to step in on three weeks’ notice and face Magny in the co-main event Saturday night in Las Vegas.

Lawler’s return against Magny gives the 38-year-old the chance to snap the worst run of form of his career as he bids to halt a three-fight skid that saw him lose to Rafael dos Anjos, Ben Askren, and Colby Covington.

He’s won just once since losing his welterweight title to Tyron Woodley back in the summer of 2016, But Lawler (28-14 MMA, 13-8 UFC) will see victory over the in-form Magny as the perfect way to catapult himself back into contention at 170 pounds.

If there’s a fighter who knows how to rise to the occasion when needed, it’s Lawler. Throughout his career, the hard-hitting welterweight has consistently shown his ability to bounce back from adversity and deliver big performances when it counts.

Some of those performances have gone down in MMA folklore, and the UFC has gathered six of them together for this special highlight reel ahead of Lawler’s return to action on Saturday night.

Included are his promotional debuts for both UFC and PRIDE FC, as well as a highlight-reel finish from his Strikeforce days. But, as you might expect, everything builds up to the video’s grand finale, Lawler’s iconic welterweight title war with Rory MacDonald in the co-main event of UFC 189.

Relive that incredible fight, plus five other classic Lawler moments, via the video above.

Featured fights include:

• Lawler vs. Aaron Riley at UFC 37 | May 10, 2002
• Lawler vs. Joey Villasenor at PRIDE 32 | Oct. 21, 2006
• Lawler vs. Matt Lindland at Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Babalu II | Dec. 4, 2010
• Lawler vs. Josh Koscheck at UFC 157 | Feb 23, 2013
• Lawler vs. Johny Hendricks at UFC 181 | Dec. 6, 2014
• Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald at UFC 189 | July 11, 2015