Robbie Lawler -- a 37-fight veteran -- proved that regardless of how long you've been grinding it out on different mixed martial arts (MMA) organizations in the world, patience and hard work will eventually be rewarded.
After 13 long years, "Ruthless" finally climbed the top of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) ladder, defeating Johny Hendricks at UFC 181 to become the Welterweight champion of the world.
For Lawler, it was belief in his own skills that never wavered that kept him going.
"I've been around a while," Lawler told UFC.com. "But, it's what I do and what I love to do.