UFC 276: Bryan Barberena predicts ‘bloody’ brawl against Lawler – “it’s gonna go until someone falls over”

Bryan Barberena is gearing up for a blood and guts affair opposite UFC veteran Robbie Lawler at UFC 276.

Expecting Lawler to be on his ‘A’ game coming off a recent win against Nick Diaz, Barberena is prepared for a war come July 2.

“We’re gonna go toe to toe, and it’s gonna be bloody, and it’s gonna go until someone falls over,” he told The AllStar.

“That’s what it’s coming down to.”

It’s a likely outcome considering the combined 31 knockouts, and seven ‘fight of the night’ bonuses littered throughout their respective careers suggests. ‘Bam Bam’ couldn’t be more eager for that prospect.

“I want to test myself against someone dangerous like him. I know he’s going to try to take my head off, and I’m gonna be ready to give it right back to him.”

Barberena considers himself and ‘Ruthless’ as some of the last fighters that truly leave it all in the cage – and though the 33-year-old’s overall record may have taken a hit because of this disposition, he sports that title as a badge of honor.

“We’re definitely guys cut of the same cloth – and I don’t think there’s very many of us left in the UFC that go in there and throw down like we do.”

The battle-tested welterweight last fought Matt Brown, another fighter of a similar pedigree, just three months ago – a fight in which Barberena emerged victorious on the scorecards, and left with supreme confidence in his clinch game, knowing it could compete with Brown’s.

He’ll be looking to incorporate tight elbows and knees again.

“It’s not gonna just be punches and kicks and things like that. I’m gonna utilize all my weapons that I have, and am continuing to sharpen.”

That arsenal will be seemingly devoid of any grappling tactics, however, as he intends on keeping the fight standing.

“Who knows, maybe he will [shoot for a takedown]. Hopefully, I clock him hard enough so that he’s trying to shoot for a takedown, and I’ll make him pay for that too.”

Not one to be disrespectful, Barberena clarified that he’s a “huge fan” of Lawler, and that it’s an honor to share the cage with him – but business is business, at the end of the day.

“I’m a huge fan that’s gonna bring it and put it on him,” he insisted, adding that he plans to be the 40-year-olds toughest fight yet

“He’s been in some tough ones. Rory MacDonald and him… I want to take that slot.”

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Fighter profile

Bryan “Bam Bam” Barberena is a 33-year-old male fighter from the United States with 17 pro wins and 8 losses. Barberena is scheduled to fight Robbie Lawler at UFC 276: Adesanya vs. Cannonier on Saturday, July 2, 2022.

Bryan Barberena’s recent form coming into this matchup

Bryan Barberena has gone 3-2 in the last 5 professional MMA fights.

• Win vs Matt Brown • Decision R3 5:00 • 2022-03-26
• Win vs Darian Weeks • Decision R3 5:00 • 2021-12-04
• Loss vs Jason Witt • Decision R3 5:00 • 2021-07-31
• Win vs Anthony Ivy • Decision R3 5:00 • 2020-09-12
• Loss vs Randy Brown • KO/TKO R3 2:54 • 2019-06-22

Bryan Barberena’s next opponent: “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler

“Ruthless” Robbie Lawler’s recent form coming into this matchup

“Ruthless” Robbie Lawler is a 40-year-old male fighter from the United States with 29 pro wins and 15 losses. Lawler is scheduled to fight Bryan Barberena at UFC 276: Adesanya vs. Cannonier on Saturday, July 2, 2022.

Robbie Lawler has gone 1-4 in the last 5 professional MMA fights.

• Win vs Nick Diaz • KO/TKO R3 0:44 • 2021-09-25
• Loss vs Neil Magny • Decision R3 5:00 • 2020-08-29
• Loss vs Colby Covington • Decision R5 5:00 • 2019-08-03
• Loss vs Ben Askren • Submission R1 3:20 • 2019-03-02
• Loss vs Rafael dos Anjos • Decision R5 5:00 • 2017-12-16

How to watch and bet on Bryan Barberena vs Robbie Lawler

Keep track of all the latest odds and line-movements at our bout page for this matchup.