Confirmed! Former champ Robbie Lawler has found a new home

Earlier this year, we learned that former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler had left his long-time home of American Top Team. When this new surfaced, there was immediate speculation as to where the former champ would relocate. We now have our answer.

Lawler is now training out of Combat Club in Lantana, Florida. This move was confirmed by BJPENN.COM’s own Tom Taylor.

Just confirmed that Robbie Lawler is now training at Combat Club w/ Henri Hooft in FLA. Maybe not permanent, but it's his current home.

— Tom Taylor (@TomTaylorWrites) March 22, 2017

At Combat Club, Lawler will be working under the tutelage of renowned kickboxing master Henri Hooft, who also served as a coach for the now dispersed Blackzilians team. In this new facility, Lawler will have the opportunity to work alongside other UFC notables like top-15 welterweight Kamaru Usman, top-10 lightweight Michael Johnson, and recently signed UFC bantamweight Andre Soukhamthath.

Combat Club is now home to many former staples of the Blackzilians team, though a good portion of the now defunct camp followed Tyrone Spong to CSMMA in Pompano Beach, Florida.

Lawler has not stepped onto the canvas since July of 2016, when he succumbed to a first-round knockout dealt by former training partner Tyron Woodley. This loss marked the end of Lawler’s short but terrifying reign as UFC welterweight king.

Prior to his loss to Woodley, Lawler defended the welterweight title in unforgettable battles with Carlos Condit and Rory MacDonald. He won the title in a similarly thrilling scrap with Johny Hendricks back in 2o14.

Though Lawler was briefly scheduled for a return to action against fellow fan favorite Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone at November’s UFC 205, this fight unfortunately fell through. Since then, we haven’t heard much from the former champ, though his having found a new home would seem to indicate that he’s getting ready for a return to the Octagon. Fingers crossed!

Do you think Combat Club will be a good fit for Robbie Lawler? Who do you want to see the Ruthless former champ fight when he returns to the cage? Sound off, PENN Nation!

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 3/22/2017.