Firas Zahabi Doesn’t Think Johny Hendricks Can Hold Robbie Lawler Down

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Trainer Firas Zahabi, on “Beatdown,” discussing the UFC 171 welterweight title fight between Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler:

“I think it’s a 50-50 fight. I really believe it’s a 50-50 fight. I’m not able to see their preparation; if I could see their preparation, then I’d have more of an idea because it all depends on their preparation. Their preparation, it’s a big part of the result that night. I wouldn’t count Robbie Lawler out, no way. He hits really hard. There’s no real easy way to hold him down. Even if Hendricks were to take him down … if it’s not working out and he does take Lawler down, I don’t think he’ll really hold Lawler down, not for five rounds. Lawler will get back up. Lawler will be active off his back. Lawler’s jiu-jitsu has improved leaps and bounds. Hendricks can win, obviously. I just think anybody who counts Robbie Lawler out is crazy. It’s 50-50.”

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