‘Filthy’ Tom Lawlor To Return To MMA; Will Compete In PFL & MLW
Photo Credit: MLW
Tom Lawlor will finally be returning to mixed martial arts. Lawlor revealed on ESPN’s Ariel Helwani MMA Show that the MLW star has signed a deal with the PFL and is scheduled to compete in his return bout at the end of 2020.
“I have been given the golden lottery ticket to compete in this year’s PFL in the light heavyweight division for $1 million,” he said. “I am here to tell you it is my absolute goal, it is my destiny, to take home that money, and it’s gonna happen at the end of 2020.”
Lawlor has a fighting record of 10-7 with one no contest and last fought at the only Golden Boy event in late 2018. He was subject to a two-year suspension by United States Anti-Doping Agency because the banned substance ostarine. The suspension had a major hamper on his MMA aspirations and Lawlor questioned the process of USADA, particularly because of a 2019 case of UFC being allowed to suspend several of its fighters (all of which because of ostarine) for only six months.
Hello @usantidoping can you please explain the difference between the 4 recent cases of @ufc fighters being given 6 months for ostarine while I was sanctioned for 2 years? I’d like to believe in fairness by your organization but I would like some clarity please.
— REAL Dean Malenko account (@FilthyTomLawlor) April 25, 2019
MLW also wrote about the good news for Lawlor as he continues his journey in the MMA world and stating that he’ll still be embroiled in his recent feud with the Von Erichs after stabbing them in the back at MLW’s Thanksgiving episode of Fusion.
ESPN’s Ariel Helwani broke the news that “Filthy” Tom Lawlor will return to MMA, once again becoming a two sport athlete.
Team Filthy is actively readying Lawlor for his return to the cage for the Professional Fighters League.
The former MLW World Heavyweight Champion, who will continue to be a presence in MLW while entering the PFL, told MLW.com he remains committed to vanquishing the Von Erichs.
Lawlor and the Von Erichs have been entrenched in a bitter feud since Fusion on Thanksgiving when Lawlor betrayed Ross during a World Heavyweight Championship title fight.
PFL will enter its third season and also features another prominent wrestling talent, Lilian Garcia, as the promotion’s octagon announcer.
RELATED: MLW Fusion Recap: Ross Von Erich Gets His Rematch Against Tom Lawlor