Jul 11, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Robbie Lawler (not pictured) and Rory MacDonald (blue gloves) fight during their welterweight title bout during UFC 189 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Lawler won via fifth round TKO. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

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Rory MacDonald Looks Back On Brutal UFC 189 War With Robbie Lawler, Sees Silver Lining In Defeat!

Years after one of the bloodiest battles in UFC history, Rory MacDonald reflects on the career defining loss!

Some fights become legendary not because of who won, but because of what both fighters gave to create magic. UFC 189 in July 2015 delivered one of those rare moments that reminds everyone why MMA can be pure art. The card featured Conor McGregor’s interim featherweight title win over Chad Mendes, but many fans still talk more about the co-main event. Two welterweights stepped into the octagon that night and painted a masterpiece with their blood, sweat, and determination.

Rory MacDonald and Robbie Lawler had already fought once before at UFC 167 in November 2013. Lawler won that first meeting by split decision, but both men knew they had unfinished business. The rematch came with even higher stakes as the welterweight title hung in the balance. What followed was five rounds of absolute warfare that would be remembered as one of the greatest fights in UFC history. The bout was so incredible that it earned both ‘Fight of the Night’ and ‘Fight of the Year’ honors, eventually getting inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2023!

Rory MacDonald Believes His Loss Was A Boon

The rematch between MacDonald and Lawler became an instant classic for all the right and wrong reasons. Both men absorbed tremendous punishment throughout the fight, with MacDonald’s broken nose becoming one of the most iconic images in MMA history. The Canadian fighter showed incredible heart by continuing to fight despite his face being a crimson mask. However, Lawler’s experience and championship mentality eventually proved decisive when he secured a knockout victory in the fifth round.

Looking back on that brutal night, MacDonald, who retired in 2022 recently shared some surprising thoughts about his defeat. Speaking with Ariel Helwani, the retired fighter admitted that losing might have been the best thing that could have happened to him at that time. He explained that the loss taught him valuable lessons about himself and martial arts. MacDonald believes he wasn’t mature enough to handle becoming champion at that point in his life.

“It was a great lesson and taught me so much about myself and martial arts… I don’t have any bad feelings at all, and I’m glad it came out the way it did… It was meant to be that I didn’t win that fight. I don’t think it would have been any good for me with where I was in my life at that point to carry that. Don’t think I was mature enough.”

Rory MacDonald believes it's best that he didn't win the iconic fight against Robbie Lawler at UFC 189:

"The [UFC] invited me [to the Hall of Fame induction]… It was right after I retired and I was being a bit of a baby. I felt like a loser at that point, I lost that fight.… pic.twitter.com/PZUpQOypDl
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 29, 2025

MacDonald’s reflection on his most famous fight shows remarkable maturity. He holds no grudges against Lawler or the outcome, instead choosing to see the bigger picture. The defeat forced him to examine his approach to fighting and life in general. Sometimes the universe has different plans, and MacDonald seems to understand that concept!

(Image Credit: Joe Camporeale – Imagn Images)

Robbie Lawler

Rory Macdonald

UFC 189

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!