Jorge Masvidal's FINALLY gettin' the respect he's long deserved -- thanks to his brutal Ben Askren flying knee KO -- so says UFC star Robbie Lawler.
TMZ Sports talked to Lawler -- who was in NYC promoting his August 3rd fight with Colby Covington -- about his former teammate Masvidal's monster win at UFC 239 last weekend.
"That was damn impressive. Masvidal is awesome and it was cool to see him go out there and showcase his skills," Lawler says ... "He's been in the sport a long time and never got the respect that I think he was due.