6 Unlikely UFC Champions Who Defied The Odds

When he finally decides to call it a career, 'Ruthless' Robbie Lawler will go down as one of the best welterweights to ever put on a pair of MMA gloves. However, at the beginning his 2nd run in the UFC, it looked like Lawler's best days were already behind him.

From 2009 to 2012, Lawler fought in Strikeforce —a promotion that was eventually purchased by the UFC. During his time with the now-defunct organization, the heavy-handed welterweight went 3-5. As a result, when he rejoined the UFC, following the merger, the man they called 'Ruthless' had become an afterthought.

In the early-2000s, Lawler entered the UFC for the 1st time as an undefeated prospect. Roughly a decade later, he returned to the promotion as a veteran fighter who never quite reached his full potential —at least not yet.

Lawler's ability to absorb damage, combined with his excellent striking, helped him revitalize his career on the sport's biggest stage. In his UFC return, he upset longtime welterweight contender Josh Koscheck — winning the fight via TKO in the 1st round. He would win 2 more fights in route to a title shot against Johny Hendricks at UFC 171.

Lawler would lose a close decision to Hendricks the 1st time around. However, he would win the rematch and capture the UFC Welterweight Championship, in December of 2014.

In a little over 2 years, Robbie Lawler had gone from a 3-5 fighter in Strikeforce to becoming a UFC champ.