Cormier on Lawler: “He’s a fighter through and through.”

LAS VEGAS – UFC TONIGHT hosts Kenny Florian and Daniel Cormier preview UFC 201 and interview headliners Robbie Lawler and Tyron Woodley before their title fight. Karyn Bryant adds reports.

UFC TONIGHT host Kenny Florian on Robbie Lawler vs. Tyron Woodley: “This will be an amazing fight. You have two very explosive individuals, both from the same team, American Top Team, so there will be a little drama there. Tyron Woodley is a phenomenal wrestler. He’s very fast. The question is, can he be fast for 25 minutes? Because Robbie Lawler is a guy who understands how to go 25 minutes hard. Tyron has a very dangerous right hand, but Lawler has power everywhere and he continues to improve and evolve.”

UFC TONIGHT host Daniel Cormier on Robbie Lawler growth in the sport: “Not often do you see guys get better with age like Robbie Lawler has gotten better with age. Not only technically, but physically and cardio-wise. There’s an idea that Woodley gets tired in fights, but can he fight whole time at the pace that Robbie fights? At the end of a fight, Robbie constantly gets better. Robbie has a way of showing the judges he’s the winner and puts a stamp on the fight.”

Cormier on Lawler’s keys to victory: “He goes forward, he pressures you and he has killer instinct. He knocks people out with his feet and with his hands. Robbie Lawler is a fighter through and through. His first key is he needs to cut off the Octagon. Second, he has to keep the fight on his feet and defend takedowns. Finally, he has to attack the body. Woodley has history of gassing and body shots will take it out of the gas tank.”

Florian on Woodley’s keys to victory: “Tyron is so explosive with everything he does. First, he needs to land the takedown, just to mix things up. He has to pace himself because it’s a five-round fight. And finally, he needs to throw high kicks. We’ve seen Lawler get hit by right-handed fighters by those kicks.”

Both Florian and Cormier pick Woodley to win. Florian on why: “I think his speed is going to be too much and he catches Lawler. I think Woodley gets the upset.”

VIDEO: StrikeZone: Robbie Lawler vs. Tyron Woodley

http://www.foxsports.com/ufc/video?vid=733461571588

Robbie Lawler on how he tops his last fight-of-the-night performance: “I’m not trying to out-do my last performance, I’m just trying to be a better fighter each time I go out there. It’s all about being more strategic and getting a finish.”

Lawler on talking about Conor McGregor: “An interviewer asked me a question about Conor and it kind of irritated me. I don’t think he should be mentioned with me. I’m not like everyone else. I’m a little different.”

Lawler on if saying he wanted a finish this fight means the five-round wars are taking a toll on him: “They’re not taking a toll. You just want to get in and out as fast as possible. That’s the goal – to beat someone, not take damage and impose your will on someone. They’re not backing down, they’re fighting for what I have and bringing their A-game.”

VIDEO: Interview: Robbie Lawler: These guys are not backing down

http://www.foxsports.com/ufc/video?vid=733448259651

Tyron Woodley on how he’ll fight Robbie Lawler, who’s on a win streak: “He might be red hot, but I’m ice cold. I’m a better fighter, better grappler, better wrestler, I’m a cleaner striker, I’m faster, I’m just as strong and I have just as much power. If you think of skill sets, they are skills. Toughness isn’t a skill set. I have the toughness, the heart, a better skill set and in my mind, I’m a better fighter.”

Woodley on if he believes in ring rust: “I don’t believe in ring rust. That’s if I was being rusty, not watching fights, not training, not staying in shape and not staying positive. You can’t charge that to my charge card. I’ve had a training camp. I’ve been working and training. I’ve been out of site and out of mind. I’ve got some things I’ve been working on.”

VIDEO: Interview: Tyron Woodley is finally ready to get back to fighting

http://www.foxsports.com/ufc/video?vid=733448259720

VIDEO: Joanna Jedrzejczyk is preparing for her next fight camp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRvYW1k9zWo