ATT Owner Dan Lambert Unsure Why Robbie Lawler Left The Team, But Holds No Grudges

Dan Lambert, the owner of the popular American Top Team gym in Florida has said that he holds no grudges against former welterweight champion Robbie Lawler despite the fact he left his gym without stating any reason.

Lawler, who now calls the Hard Knocks 365 gym home, takes on current ATT member Colby Covington on Aug. 3 in the main event of UFC on ESPN 5 in Newark, New Jersey. Covington has claimed that Lawler's departure was due to the gym displaying a picture of Lawler's knockout loss to Tyron Woodley at UFC 201.

Lambert says he is still unsure why “Ruthless” left the gym, but still respects the former champion (transcribed via MMA Junkie):

“Well from my standpoint, fighters come and fighters go,” Lambert said. “We focus on the fighters that are at the gym, not fighters who have left. I don’t have anything bad to say about Robbie Lawler. Even if I did, he’d be the last person I’d say something bad about, I mean look at the guy. Look at the guy and look at his status in the sport.”

Lambert said he’ll be supporting the outspoken Covington in Newark when he takes on Lawler next month and will do his best to prepare him for the fight:

“You’re going to try and get into a PR battle with that guy? You’re going to lose that one every time but you know, we focus on people that are at the gym,” Lambert said. “Try to make them better, get them to fight. Colby is at our gym, Robbie is not so we’re focusing on Colby.”