Robbie Lawler is more than two months removed from capturing the UFC welterweight championship. As he awaits news of his first defense, Lawler’s had time to figure out what type of titleholder he wants to be.

Lawler’s (25-10 MMA, 10-4 UFC) 2014 campaign proved he’s willing to fight as much as necessary. He competed four times in the calendar year, with his final effort at UFC 181 concluding in a split-decision victory over Johny Hendricks to win the belt.

The contest marked the first time in UFC history in which a belt changed hands by split decision. Some believed Lawler won. Others believe Hendricks deserved the nod. The dissension on the outcome raised questions about the validity of Lawler’s title reign. He said he wants to erase that notion and prove his position with at least one title defense.

“I’m making sure the next time I fight I defend the belt and stay champion,” Lawler told MMAjunkie. “Obviously, it’s awesome to win that championship belt, but I was looking forward to defending it for the first time as soon as I got it. That’s what I’m striving for.”

Whenever a new champion is crowned, comparisons are made to previous titleholders. With former champions such as Georges St-Pierre, Matt Hughes, Pat Miletich and others, Lawler’s welterweight belt is arguably the UFC’s most prestigious championship.

It’ll take plenty of time and hard work for Lawler to position his name alongside the previously mentioned champions. Hughes and Miletich are already UFC Hall of Fame members, and St-Pierre is all but guaranteed to join them eventually.

St-Pierre’s title reign was the most dominant in the history of the weight class. He defended the strap nine consecutive times over a more than five-year period. Hughes defended the belt five consecutive times during his reign. Miletich recorded four defenses.

Lawler said he doesn’t have an established strategy to surpass St-Pierre’s title defense record. If he does, it won’t be because he set the goal years in advance. It will be because he continued to improve and focus on one fight at a time until he got there, he said.

“I don’t think that far in front of me,” Lawler said of St-Pierre’s record. “I think about the next fight and how I can be great. Then after that fight, I’ll think to the next one. I don’t want to look too far in advance. There are obviously goals out there, but I want to concentrate on my next fight. Once you get past that fight, then you concentrate on the next one. That’s what I’ve been doing for the last few years and that’s what I’m going to continue to do.”

While Lawler’s mentality may differ from other champions, like 205-pound king Jon Jones, who made his intentions to break Tito Ortiz’s title defense record know early in his reign, it doesn’t mean his approach is wrong.

Lawler’s current method of looking exclusively at the next fight and not a moment beyond has clearly worked for him. Prior to the current 6-1 UFC run that led to winning the title, “Ruthless” was in a 3-5 slump and a non-factor in the title picture.

His move to Florida to train at American Top Team, mixed with a number of other lifestyle changes allowed Lawler to turn his career around. The physical move wasn’t the only factor. Lawler said he also had to reach a new place mentally. That’s where he is now, and he has no intention of mixing things.

“Nothing has changed now that I have the title,” Lawler said. “Even though I have the belt, I’m still the same. I train the same and I’m still trying to get better. It was quite the accomplishment, but there’s more to do in the future.”

After a frantic 2014 schedule, Lawler began the year with a well-deserved break from competition. He said he expects to return to the octagon around summer, but has yet to receive a formal notification regarding his next opponent.

Rory MacDonald was pegged as the No. 1 contender shortly after Lawler won the title. However, the organization then decided to lean toward a trilogy bout with Lawler and Hendricks. Hendricks was then booked to fight Matt Brown at UFC 185, while MacDonald was matched against Hector Lombard at UFC 186.

The MacDonald-Lombard fight was recently scrapped when news surfaced Lombard failed a post-fight drug test stemming from his previous bout. That led many to speculate “Red King” would once again be penciled into the No. 1 contender position.

Lawler said he’s been patiently waiting as the messy welterweight title picture sorts itself out. He has no preference in terms of opponent, because as champion, Lawler knows his role is to take on all comers.

“I have no idea (who I’m fighting next),” Lawler said. “I’m just concentrating on myself. They’ll call me and let me know when they need me. I’m just concentrated on training, hanging out with my family and relaxing. I might call (UFC President) Dana (White) next week and see what they think then we’ll move forward from there. I’m just focused on training and getting my teammates ready.

“My coaches will get me ready if it’s Johny; if I fight Rory, cool. I’ll just keep going at it like I always do, one fight at a time and not concentrate too much on my opponent.”

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.