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Bloodiest fight in UFC could also be the greatest ever seen

IT IS being discussed as one of the bloodiest fights in UFC, but there is so much more to this story than blood and gore. Just ask Dana White.

Tyson OttoTyson Otto
@tottodtsport
2 min read
July 13, 2015 - 2:25PM
‘The sickest fight I’ve ever seen’
‘The sickest fight I’ve ever seen’

IT IS being discussed as one of the bloodiest fights in UFC, but there is so much more to this story than blood and gore.

Robbie Lawler and Rory McDonald weren’t the main event at UFC 189 in Las Vegas yesterday — that honour went to Irish superstar Conor McGregor — but they will next time.

Lawler’s ripped-apart upper lip and McDonald’s shattered nose and fractured foot have earned the pair top billing whenever they fight next.

The brutal bout was one of the greatest shows ever put on by the UFC.

That’s the opinion of none other than UFC president Dana White.

“It was a war,” he said.

“And a complete display of chin, heart, grit, dogged determination, and the will to win from both guys. When you talk about (the best) fights ever, that’s what I’m talking about.”

“If you look at Rory MacDonald, his nose was broken in that first round.

“He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t see, continued to fight, and it’s looking like a one-sided clinic. Then he hurts Robbie Lawler, then he follows up with like 10 head kicks and doesn’t finish Lawler. Lawler hangs in there and makes it through that.”

White was heard telling the pair after the fight it was the “sickest f***ing fight I’ve ever seen”.

Rory MacDonald, left, and Robbie Lawler exchange blows.
Rory MacDonald, left, and Robbie Lawler exchange blows.

There’s a reason McDonald didn’t know what year it was immediately after the fight.

Lawler couldn’t celebrate the first defence of his welterweight title and couldn’t fulfil the regular media duties after his win because he needed to go to the hospital.

McDonald was also taken to the hospital after Lawler ended the fight with a huge left cross to the Canadian’s nose, which had been broken earlier in the fight, in the fifth and final round.

It was enough to leave McDonald writhing in pain on the blood-soaked mat, giving the referee no choice but to end the fight before Lawler had time to pounce.

McDonald would have won the fight on the judges’ scorecard had he been able to survive to the end of the fifth round.

The fight had everything and the fighters’ ability to seemingly not feel the incredible beatings their bodies were taking is the talk of the UFC world.

Lawler broke McDonald’s nose early, but still managed to lose three of the first four rounds, according to the judges.

Every round had a momentum swing, a counter punch and a shock twist. Every round had a blow that seemed impossible for a fighter to get back up from. They did.

Even McGregor, who has never had to share the spotlight with a rival fighter, admitted the main spectacle of the event happened before he stopped Chad Mendes with a second round knock out.

“That Robbie and Rory fight was absolutely phenomenal,” McGregor said.

“I must pay my respect to that. Two absolute warriors took every shot and still came forward. This is what this sport is about. What a night of fighting.”

In the end, the finish was quick.

Here is some of the appreciation for the pair’s efforts.

Originally published as Bloodiest fight in UFC could also be the greatest ever seen

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