"Two things happen when you're backed into a corner; you either look for a way out or you fight him off of you. I am one of those guys who looks to fight, but he was definitely tearing my leg up. I'm not going to lie about that… I've just been blessed with the gift of punching power and athleticism and I can hold my power in some weird spots," stated Strikeforce middleweight Robbie Lawler as he talked about his impressive knockout victory over Melvin Manhoef this past weekend. Check it out!

JRAM: Congrats on coming out victorious. It was a crazy ending. What were your thoughts right before the KO came?

RL: Well, two things happen when you're backed into a corner; you either look for a way out or you fight him off of you. I am one of those guys who looks to fight, but he was definitely tearing my leg up. I'm not going to lie about that.

JRAM: How is your leg? I noticed during the fight it seemed to buckle on you. When did the leg kicks start to affect you?

RL: It was towards the end really. He was really winding up on them. He was just kicking different spots. He kicked my knee, he kicked my calf and he kicked the inside of my calf; my calve is really sore, so he really was working me over with those kicks.

JRAM: You seemed like you were measuring him up for a big punch. Was that part of your strategy, to try for the KO?

RL: Yeah, I like to do that kinda stuff. I like to try to get people really close and uh, I'm not gonna say he wasn't tearing me up with those legs. I was trying to bring him in because he was doing the same thing with his legs and looking to finish with hands.

JRAM: Did any of that throw you off guard? During training camp, did you prepare for him coming at you with so many kicks?

RL: No. What I really thought is he would come with hands and finish with legs, like most guys do, but he was actually coming in real powerful. I was actually wanting to take him down and wear him down a little bit, but I wasn't just going to let him run me down with his hands like some of the guys that fight him; they just get like that deer in the headlights [look] and let him run them over and I didn't want to be one of those guys. My plan was to slam him down and ride the dog shit outta him, but I felt he was moving so well in and out and every time I planted my feet, he would move or circle and I didn't want to lower my level and get caught with a knee or something. 

JRAM: Where you surprised at how fast he came out?

RL: No. I mean, he was right in my face, but you expect it from a guy who has that many knockouts and fought at the level he's fought at.

JRAM: Did you think that with all those kicks to the leg that it would affect your chance to set down on your legs and land a big shot?

RL: Well, I have my boxing coach and he will tell you that I have power. I can throw with power on one leg or backing up. I have just been blessed with the gift of punching power and athleticism and I can hold my power in some weird spots, so I wasn't too worried about that.

JRAM: Now that the fight's over, how is the leg? Any major damage?

RL: It's really sore. Nothing broke or anything, just sore. I am gonna ice it and use my laser; I brought my laser because I was nursing a previous injury.

JRAM: What's next for you?

RL: REST!

JRAM: After that?

RL: More rest! I was really banged up from this. I'm gonna take a little time off and rest my body and take it from there.

JRAM: Thank you. I appreciate your time and look forward to seeing you again!

RL: No problem and thank you!