
Ronnie Lawrence picked up a UFC contract on Sept. 1 on DWCS, however, despite the victory, the Nashville native wasn’t happy with his performance.
“To be 100% honest with you, that’s the worst I’ve ever felt in a fight,” Lawrence told The Scrap.” I was gassed out in the first round. But I just (had a) pokerface and if anybody has been on the mat with me, I’ve never really trained at like a high level gym before so that’s why I moved to South Florida. But I push in trainin. Like if you go to the mat with me it doesn’t matter if I’m tired we’re going. So that’s what I did in the fight I just stayed mentally tough and just kept at it.”
Lawrence (6-1) defeated Jose Johnson by unanimous decision and while he picked up his third straight victory, “The Heat” wasn’t sure he was UFC bound.
“I was worried (about getting the UFC contract)” Lawrence explained. “I felt like I couldn’t box because my arms were so gassed out. I wanted to tell Dana (White) like I will do better. Like if you’ve watched any of my older fights, like I will do better. I did what I had to do, and I did my best.”
The LFA veteran is eager to make his UFC debut and says he’s ready to fill in on short notice if need be. However, he needs to get medically cleared first and that will determine when he’ll be available to step into the Octagon.
“Well this is the first time I’ve been suspended for a cut and whatever I get my heart rate up it’s still like kind of slightly loses a little bit so I need to get that check out. I’m supposed to take the stitches out in a couple days. It sounds like (the UFC) is really just filling them up. So if I’m healed, then I’ll try to get a spot. I might not fight this this year so I’m hoping basically ASAP and try to fight before January.”