It was July 11, 2015. While UFC 189 was headlined by Conor McGregor vs. Chad Mendes, it’s Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald 2 that lives in the memory of fight fans. Ten years later, this fight is still considered one of the greatest battles in UFC history—a war that redefined grit, heart, and violence inside the Octagon.
Today marks the 10-year anniversary of Lawler vs. MacDonald 2, and it’s the perfect time to reflect on a fight that changed the sport. I had the unique privilege of speaking with people involved in that legendary night—most notably, the third man in the cage, referee Big John McCarthy.
“To be honest, going into the fight, I was just wondering how much Rory had changed since their first fight,” McCarthy told me. “I knew the fight would likely play out on the feet but had no idea how special it was going to be until midway through the first round.”
Rematch Performance: Adjustments and Evolution
In this rematch, both fighters showed incredible evolution. Robbie Lawler, the defending champion, and Rory MacDonald, the cerebral challenger, came in with improved game plans and cage IQ. MacDonald appeared to flirt with wrestling but relied mostly on his striking. He adjusted his stance, giving him more built-in defense and control over range—crucial to keeping Lawler at bay.
Lawler’s takedown defense stood out immediately. In their first fight, Rory scored four takedowns. This time, Robbie stuffed all four attempts and made MacDonald pay with damage in the exchanges. His improved footwork and head movement were key in avoiding extended firefights until he was ready to let loose.
The Fight: Round by Round Breakdown
Round 1 saw both fighters feeling each other out. Lawler edged the round with slightly more activity and cleaner punches, while MacDonald maintained range and set the pace with his new stance. It was a close round, but I scored it for Lawler.
Round 2 was where Lawler began to take over. His jab, hooks, and straight lefts marked up Rory’s face, swelling quickly. It looked like the momentum was swinging toward the champ—until Round 3.
Round 3 flipped the narrative. Rory started hiding head kicks behind right hands, and his fluidity in striking began to puzzle Robbie. Late in the round, two crushing head kicks nearly ended the fight. Lawler stumbled to his corner on wobbly legs after surviving a violent onslaught.
Round 4 picked up with Rory pressing forward, looking to finish what he started. He had Lawler backed to the cage and was landing clean. Big John McCarthy watched closely, ready to intervene. Robbie reassured him:
“I was fine. I was even saying to John as I was defending — I’m fine! I’m fine!”
Lawler broke away from the attack, reloaded, and began firing back. Both men were bloodied and beaten, and by round’s end, the two engaged in what became the most iconic mid-fight stare-down in UFC history.
Round 5 began with “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler back in full form. Landing precise jabs and straight lefts, Lawler dropped MacDonald with a clean shot early in the round. The fight was waved off. Lawler raised his arms and pointed to the canvas—the site of one of the most historic knockouts and endings in MMA history.
Big John’s Point of View
I have a personal connection to this fight. The following weekend, I fought at Bellator 140. My cornerman was King Mo, who had been in Lawler’s corner at UFC 189. And wouldn’t you know it? Big John McCarthy was my referee.
If you’ve never fought before, the ref comes into your locker room before the bout to explain the rules and expectations. After the usual breakdown, we ended up talking about the previous week’s epic.
Mo turned to John and said,
“Hey Big John! Great job on that no-stop with Robbie, man! I was getting nervous, but I knew my boy was still in it!”
Big John broke it down: Robbie never gave “the look,” he was defending intelligently, and most importantly, he was communicating. That fight was a masterclass in knowing when to let the action continue.
We all agreed: Lawler vs. MacDonald 2 was one of the greatest fights the sport has ever seen.
The Aftermath: A Fight That Defined a Decade
UFC 189’s co-main event outshined the headliner and left a permanent mark on MMA history. A decade later, fans still talk about Lawler vs. MacDonald 2. It earned Fight of the Year, it’s been inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, and it solidified both men as legends.
It proved that Robbie Lawler was the embodiment of “Ruthless,” and that Rory MacDonald was as tough and technical as any welterweight in history.
If, somehow, you haven’t seen this fight—watch it now on UFC Fight Pass or UFC.tv. This was more than a fight—it was a war for the ages.
