Earlier this week we speculated that oddsmakers were only giving Melvin Manhoef the slight edge over Robbie Lawler because they thought Lawler was foolhardy enough to stand and strike with Manhoef rather than take it to the ground, where he would enjoy a distinct advantage. Unless Lawler is doing a great big fake-out in this video interview with Ariel Helwani, the oddsmakers know Lawler better than he knows himself. Yes, he realizes that he’s probably much better on the ground than Manhoef, and he probably also realizes that he could get it there if he wanted to. But that’s not how Lawler likes to party. He wants to go toe-to-toe with a man who’s known for having vicious stand-up and very little else. He wants to play to his opponent’s one strength rather than exploit his easily exploitable weaknesses. So he says, anyway.
Honestly? As much fun as it would be to watch Lawler and Manhoef play Rock-em, Sock-em Robots on Saturday night, a part of me hopes that Lawler is smarter than that. He needs a win more than he needs to prove what a stone cold bad-ass he is. Knocking out Manhoef in a stand-up war would be entertaining and impressive, but that’s like investing your savings in lottery tickets. A 401k might not be as thrilling, but it is a lot less likely to leave you crying in the parking lot.
After the jump, part two of RawVegas.tv‘s series with Goran Reljic. In this episode, Reljic spars with Forrest Griffin and shares a candid conversation about the challenges both of them are facing in the near future.
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Comments
Thu, 01/28/10 - 09:16
Robbie Lawler needs to tone down the excitement a few clicks...
Thu, 01/28/10 - 09:17
Come on lawler, just take him down and watch him flop around like a fish out of water. It would be easier on your face.
Thu, 01/28/10 - 09:18
you can tell lawler is lying out his ass. when you look up or away from the person who asks you a question, it usually means you are lying. But then why tell melvin his real game plan? pretend to bang with him, duck that shit take him down submit him, and go home untouched.
Thu, 01/28/10 - 09:19
*me goes to the betting page and changes to manhoef *
Thu, 01/28/10 - 09:22
Also, forrest griffin is not a heavyweight
Thu, 01/28/10 - 09:27
Hmmm...maybe time to change my pick on this fight. Don't be an idiot Lawler. Wet blanket this guy. Pull an early Josh Koscheck.
Thu, 01/28/10 - 09:32
Do these RawVegas vids work for anyone else? Because they never do for me...
Thu, 01/28/10 - 09:34
Lawler's only been knocked out by heavy hitters like Nick Diaz, I'm sure he can take whatever that fruity Dutchman's throwing.
Thu, 01/28/10 - 09:34
Lawler would never do something that stupid. I mean who would actually want to stand and bang with Melvin hm?
Thu, 01/28/10 - 09:42
FightPicker is going to be worse than fantasy football. Every article like this is going to have me running back to my pools and agonizing over my choices. Sometimes fun stuff really sucks. FightPicker is still fun though.
Thu, 01/28/10 - 10:08
There's no way Lawler wins this fight. He wont go for takedowns, he will get knocked out
Thu, 01/28/10 - 10:40
No way is he standing up and banging with this beast. It'd be sad to have him take the Jorge Gurgel approach to fighting this guy and getting laid out. Manhoef kicks like a mule. Swallow your pride Robbie, take his ass down. But then again, Lawler is most likely bs'ing us anyway.
Thu, 01/28/10 - 10:40
Melvin by first round talking about Lawler's child.
Thu, 01/28/10 - 10:41
Lawlor kinda sounds like he's never actually seen Melvin fight. Like maybe he's just going off what his training parters are telling him and whatnot. If Lawlor's not just fucking with us, his gameplan will get him knocked out in minutes. Manhoef trains nothing but striking, he's one of the best pure strikers in MMA, and Robbie Lawlor doesn't even stand a chance. I mean Jake Shields was even doing a pretty good job on the feet against him, and he's a pure grappler from a weight class below him.
Thu, 01/28/10 - 10:43
@MThomas I think Adobe Flash Player 10 is what you need. That's what's playing the video
Thu, 01/28/10 - 11:12
I hope Lawler stand up with Manhoef. The guy knocked out Mark Hunt with a straight right so lawlor's wweak little chin stands no chance against that kind of power. Lawler is an ass and his arrogance just drips off him even in interviews. @ Yves Latrine, when did nick diaz become a heavy hitter?!?! I've seen him paw his way through fights and he has the chin like Rocky Dennis but i wouldn't considered him a huge threat when it comes to one punch knock out power.
Thu, 01/28/10 - 11:21
MMA Darwinism in full effect this Saturday. If Bob decides to keep it standing, he's a dead man. If he smartens up and takes the fight down, he's got a shot at leaving the cage with both eyes still in their sockets.
Thu, 01/28/10 - 11:27
Melvin has shown some paper chinage in the past boys. Lawler hits HARD! @Yves Latrine: Heavy Hittin Nick Diaz! LMFAO @LargeMidget: Jake Shields was getting spanked the whole fight. Lawler got way too confident and cocky and got subbed with a standing guillotine! He would slaughter Shields in a rematch!
Thu, 01/28/10 - 11:49
@Yves Latrine nick diaz hits like a 5yo girl compared to what manhoef does, Melvin Manhoef has lik a 97% KO ratio in 24 fights, this man knocked out Mark hunt(one of the toughest chins ever) with one single punch (moving backward)... Anyway Mousasi said he was going to stand up with melvin but at the end just decided to avoid that part. Go Melvin!
Thu, 01/28/10 - 11:56
Manhoef will be on his back within the first minute ... I guarantee it.
Thu, 01/28/10 - 12:47
Lawler is the worst interview ever! God damn that guy sucks. He could be way more marketable if he had even the slightest personality. Oh well, I guess he doesnt like more money....
Thu, 01/28/10 - 02:04
Prepare to incur some head trauma, Robbie.
Thu, 01/28/10 - 02:35
I think Yves was being sarcastic, morons
Thu, 01/28/10 - 03:55
Well observed Freddy. Sarcasm is just lost on some people. I got through a few comments and just thought, "did you really think that was a serious opinion?" Let's try this again for those of you who missed it: Melvin will take this one with a gogoplata in the second round after pulling guard because his trademark takedowns keep getting stuffed. Subtle enough for you?
Thu, 01/28/10 - 03:57
I agree I really hope this is Robbie just BSing and playing head games. Yeah we know he can bang and likes to trade but against Melvin this is pretty much suicide. Hell just his pedigree alone should cause the robot from "Lost in Space" to pop up going "danger! danger Will Robinson!!!"
Thu, 01/28/10 - 05:54
@ Yves Latrine: you made me Laugh out Loud! Seriously Robbie Lawler has less personality than anyone in MMA, and that's saying alot.
Thu, 01/28/10 - 08:02
Way to ask the hard hitting questions Ariel. I haven't seen a reporter that flustered since "Boom goes the dynamite."
Sun, 01/31/10 - 10:54
I told you biatches!!!
Tue, 12/13/11 - 04:33
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