Pretty sure mixed martial arts (MMA) doesn't get much better than this.
Welterweight champion Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald went to absolute war last night (Sat., July 11, 2015) in the co-main event of UFC 189, which took place inside MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
It started off slow, with both fighters coming out cautious, looking to pick spots. But then all hell broke loose.
Lawler began to heat up in the second round, finding his rhythym and MacDonald's face with a stiff jab. Eventually the Canadian's nose began to bleed, the beginning of the end for the top-ranked 170-pound contender.
But, not before MacDonald nearly finished Lawler in the third round thanks to a thundering head kick that was partially blocked. Lawler was hurt, though, and MacDonald pounced. In fact, Lawler was in so much trouble along the cage that the referee had to keep check to ensure he was able to continue.
He was, boy was he, and even though he continued to get torched, Lawler somehow continued to remain upright and fire back. MacDonald must have been completely flustered -- he pretty much hit Lawler with everything he could but it wasn't enough.
Lawler dug deep, down three rounds to one on the judges scorecards, and came out for the fifth and final round willing to leave it all inside the Octagon. But, all he left was MacDonald in a pool of blood, as a straight hard shot to his already-broken nose literally crumbled him to the canvas.
It was an incredible back-and-forth brawl that will likely go down as one of the very best.
For complete results from UFC 189: "Mendes vs. McGregor," including play-by-play updates, click here.
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