The UFC has announced a second title fight for the July 11th UFC 189 card scheduled for Las Vegas. In support of the already announced featherweight title bout between champion Jose Aldo and challenger Conor McGregor will be the first welterweight title defense for Robbie Lawler as he faces challenger Rory MacDonald. Though injuries and suspensions for PED’s have limited the UFC’s options, the company appears to be charging forward, scheduled a second PPV with two title fights.
For MacDonald, it is a long time coming, and it seems a bit unexpected. MacDonald was scheduled to fave Hector Lombard, but the brawny cuban brawler tested positive for PED’s and earned himself some shelf time. In the case of Lawler, he had asked for some time off after a grueling 2014 campaign, and when he returned he was commonly thought to be heading toward a third meeting with Johny Hendricks, the man he took the belt from. Earlier in the year however, Hendricks signed to face Matt Browne in mid-March, so he has effectively been skipped over for MacDonald.
In November of 2013, MacDonald and Lawler met in a match that saw Lawler win a narrow split decision and go on the run that would ultimately lead to his winning the title. At the time of the loss, it was the most difficult of MacDonald’s career. After his long time training partner and mentor Georges St Pierre left the UFC and vacated the welterweight title, MacDonald has been fixed on that prize. The loss to Lawler with the belt within reach must have been heartbreaking. Since then he has put together a solid three fight winnig streak, and he had signed to fight the very tough Lombard, so his mindset has not been one to sit and wait. After so long a time waiting, MacDonald now has the title shot within his reach.
Lawler will not be impressed with the dues MacDonald has paid, as his list of tough fights goes back more than a decade. Lawler is not going to go down without a fight, and this is his first title defense. Though he fought a pair of classic fights with Hendricks, kudos to the UFC for moving in a different direction.
