Home » Health » The UFC bloodbath ended when Conor McGregor took out Chad Mendes on a blood-splattered octagon because of Robbie Lawler’s war with Rory MacDonald

The UFC bloodbath ended when Conor McGregor took out Chad Mendes on a blood-splattered octagon because of Robbie Lawler’s war with Rory MacDonald

UFC fans have been tested for some truly memorable title fights over the years, but none match the excitement and drama of Robbie Lawler’s rematch with Rory MacDonald.

“Ruthless” returns to action for the first time since August 2020 when he faces Nick Diaz this Saturday in a rematch of their 2004 battle.

.

MacDonald and Lawler produced one of the greatest battles in UFC history at UFC 189

In the years that followed, Lawler established himself as one of the most dangerous fighters on the planet with his incredible chin, explosive strikes and insane cardio.

By 2014, he had become one of the main contenders in the welterweight division after winning the fight of the night against Matt Brown and won a rematch with Johnny Hendricks at UFC 181.

Although it was a split decision, Lawler came out victorious and duly organized a rematch with MacDonald at UFC 189 that would cement the legacy of the two men after their two-way war.

Lawler resurrected his own title ambitions in their first fight in 2013 by ending MacDonald’s five-game winning streak with a split decision victory.

. – .

Lawler has probably never been the same since that night in Las Vegas.

Now, 18 months after their first fight, the pair were set to compete again with UFC gold on the line at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

If MacDonald had been a favorite before the first fight, the odds were even more tilted towards the Canadian and many saw it as the start of a new era.

Training alongside the legendary Georges St-Pierre at TriStar Gym under the direction of Firas Zahabi, ‘Red King’ was considered the perfect MMA fighter – a hybrid of all different disciplines.

Sporting a Mohawk haircut, MacDonald entered a state of fluidity that meant he was sprinkling the champion with jabs, straights, teeps and head shots almost at will.

MacDonald looked on the verge of exhaustion and despair as he entered the fifth round

.

MacDonald looked on the verge of exhaustion and despair as he entered the fifth round

Perhaps the most iconic look in MMA history

Perhaps the most iconic look in MMA history

Lawler celebrates with Joe Rogan with badly split lip, but UFC belt around his waist

Lawler celebrates with Joe Rogan with badly split lip, but UFC belt around his waist

At the end of the third round, a staggering and injured Lawler returned to his corner after being caught by a barrage of shots as he knew he was on the cards and was in danger of losing his title.

A flurry in the fourth meant he had regained his momentum and looked invigorated after being seemingly taken out of combat. This led to one of the most iconic stares in MMA history as the two looked into each other’s eyes knowing it would boil down to the final round.

The sight of a bloodied, teary-eyed MacDonald going into battle for a final tells the haunting tale of the sacrifices it takes to even be on the verge of becoming UFC champion.

With the danger of the two slipping on each other’s blood, more burgundy was splashed across the Octagon as Lawler crumpled his opponent’s nose out of sheer might and perseverance to end the fight. as referee Joh McCarthy watched with maximum fear and disgust.

Sinead O'Connor sang Conor McGregor in the Octagon for his fight with Chad Mendes

.

Sinead O’Connor sang Conor McGregor in the Octagon for his fight with Chad Mendes

Immediately afterwards, Dana White hailed the fight as one of the greatest in the UFC, as the efforts both men had gone through to win became clear.

“If you look at Rory MacDonald, his nose broke in the first round,” White said at the post-fight press conference. “He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t see, kept fighting, and it feels like a one-way clinic.

“Then he hurts Robbie Lawler, then he goes on with about 10 headshots and doesn’t finish Lawler. Lawler hangs on and comes out.

“Robbie Lawler’s lip, if you could have been in the Octagon and seen that lip, he would speak and that part of the lip would move and the other part wouldn’t.” [MacDonald’s] the nose was broken.

SPECIAL BET – GET ANTHONY JOSHUA AT 25/1 TO BEAT OLEKSANDR USYK OR 60-1 TO WIN IN ROUNDS 1-6

The canvas was painted burgundy with the blood of Lawler and MacDonald

The canvas was painted burgundy with the blood of Lawler and MacDonald

“They asked him, when Rory came out, they said, ‘What year are we?’ He didn’t know what year it was. It was first a war. And a full display of chin, heart, courage, relentless determination and will to win from both guys. When you talk about (the best) fights of all time, that’s what I’m talking about.

The bout was followed by Conor McGregor’s interim featherweight title fight with Chad Mendes, a difficult task even for the irrepressible Irishman.

Boueyed by Sinead O’Connor’s mellow tones, McGregor managed to keep his balance amid the bloodstains on the canvas to knock Mendes out and win his very first UFC title.

Yet despite the stories and celebrations, the night belonged to Lawler and MacDonald for their epic welterweight battle that left an indelible mark on the careers and lives of both men.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.