UFC on FOX 8: July 27, 2013 Seattle, Washington UFC Welterweight Robbie Lawler (-350) Profile: Robbie Lawler (20-9, 1 NC) got his start fighting for Pat Miletich in the infamous Miletich Fighting Systems team out of Iowa at the turn of the century. Lawler was billed as the wunderkind of the group, a 19-year-old prospect with fists of dynamite and the attitude of Matt Hughes. In the early days of the UFC, he went 4-3 between 2002 and 2004 with key wins over Chris Lytle and Tiki Goshen but equally notable losses to Evan Tanner and Nick Diaz. He then left to blaze his own trail outside the promotion for nearly a decade, winning the Elite XC middleweight title and moving on to Strikeforce to become a perennial contender for the 185-pound crown. The 30-year-old veteran is coming off a stunning TKO win over Josh Koscheck in his return to the UFC, proving his 3-5 record in his previous eight bouts in Strikeforce did not tell the whole story of just how dangerous he can be inside the cage. Lawler’s endless gas tank, explosive punching power and savvy craftiness should serve him well in another UFC run back at welterweight. UFC Welterweight Bobby Voelker (+250) Profile: Bobby Voelker (24-9) made his UFC debut in March at UFC 158 and lost a controversial decision to Patrick Cote in the French Canadian’s hometown. But it was a win that put him in the good books with Zuffa and now he’s being given a huge opportunity against Robbie Lawler on the main card of UFC on FOX 8. Should Voelker win this fight, he will jump into the top 10 of the weight class; but if he loses, he’ll likely never contend again making this a do-or-die fight for the American if he ever wants to become a world champion. Voelker has a solid chin, good wrestling and BJJ, and solid standup making him a very well-rounded welterweight fighter and the only thing that’s held him back is injuries, of which he seems to finally be cured from. Opening UFC on FOX 8 Odds Analysis: MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas made Lawler a sizeable -350 favorite (bet $350 to win $100) while Voelker opened as a +250 underdog (bet $100 to win $250) at Several Bookmakers sportsbook. Lawler made a big statement in the fight with Koscheck that he still has a lot left in the tank while Voelker showed in the fight with Cote that he can stand and bang with a striker, although the judges did rip him off in that fight. It’s not likely to be a judges’ decision here against Lawler, for both of these men have serious power in their hands and I don’t see this fight making it the full 15 minutes — instead, look for someone to be going to sleep and waking up to a doctor’s flashlight.
