Lawler's winding road around MMA world finally approaches destination

That last part did not just apply to the fans but to the fighter himself. Lawler's run in Strikeforce closed out with three more losses in four fights, the

Jeff Wagenheim | Mar 14, 2014

Lawler's winding road around MMA world finally approaches destination /

It was hard to imagine Robbie Lawler ever fighting for a title after his July 2012 loss to Lorenz Larkin. — It was hard to imagine Robbie Lawler ever fighting for a title after his July 2012 loss to Lorenz Larkin :: Esther Lin/Forza LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

That last part did not just apply to the fans but to the fighter himself. Lawler's run in Strikeforce closed out with three more losses in four fights, the last being the Larkin bout.

Before Zuffa's purchase of Strikeforce roused his career, Robbie Lawler couldn't even stay awake for his own fight press conferences. — Before Zuffa's purchase of Strikeforce roused his career, Robbie Lawler couldn't even stay awake for his own fight press conferences :: Josh Hedges/Forza LLC/Forza LLC via Getty Images

WAGENHEIM: Hendricks leads, Lawler fourth in welterweight fighter rankings

Published Mar 14, 2014

JEFF WAGENHEIM

Paradoxically, Jeff Wagenheim considers himself a pacifist (except when driving in traffic) but nonetheless writes about mixed martial arts, the world's most combative sport (other than driving in traffic). As a veteran of three decades in magazines and newspapers, he's a bit grayer than most who attend UFC fights, even along press row. (A fan watching an MMA media panel show recently referred to him as "that crazy hippie uncle," to which Jeff responds, "Groovy, man!") Wagenheim also has tackled pro football for SI.com, and writes about sports and the arts for The Boston Globe. When he's not on the road chasing the UFC, Jeff spends Sunday afternoons spinning Sleepy LaBeef and Boozoo Chavis records for a popular (but not pop) radio show in western Massachusetts.