Robbie Lawler blasts Georges St-Pierre: Stop using my name as an excuse to hide from UFC

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweight champion Robbie Lawler was expected to make his mixed martial arts (MMA) return at the upcoming UFC 205 pay-per-view (PPV) event in New York; however, “Ruthless” withdrew from his proposed “Cowboy” fight just a few days after it was announced.

That was the straw that broke the comeback camel’s back, according to ex-division kingpin Georges St-Pierre, who claims he’s now a free agent after failing to come to terms with the world’s preeminent (and overstaffed) combat sports promotion.

“The last day of deadline, late at night, we received a letter saying they were going to schedule us a fight and if I was interested in fighting Robbie Lawler,” St-Pierre told The MMA Hour. “I knew he pulled out of New York UFC card and said he need a long break. So the next day my lawyer told me I was a free agent, and that's how it happened."

Not everyone agrees with that timeline of events.

That includes Lawler, who insists he’s completely healthy and ready to fight, despite his inability to make the “Big Apple” bash in November. In fact, “Ruthless” told ESPN that he’s been preparing for “Rush” for the better part of his career.

His words:

"He says he was offered a fight against me but I wasn't healthy or whatever. He's basically trying to read between the lines like other people, not knowing what's the matter with me. Nothing is the matter with me. Do you accept the fight or not? That's the real question, right? Because I'm ready to fight right now. Did you accept it or not? I'm guessing you didn't. Don't try to hide behind, 'I'm not healthy.' That's not the facts. I'm always ready to fight that guy. I've been training my whole life to fight a guy like him -- and him, in particular. So don't use my name or try to hide behind something you think might be happening but is not. If he doesn't want the fight, shut up.”

No love for Tyron Woodley?

Lawler was knocked out by “The Chosen One” at UFC 201 back in July, in what amounts to just his second loss under the UFC banner since transitioning from the ranks of Strikeforce in early 2013.

St-Pierre, meanwhile, has not competed in nearly three years for various reasons.

Not that he hasn’t been busy...