“Robbie Was Always a Very Intimidating Guy” – Rory MacDonald

Former UFC fighter Rory MacDonald currently competes in the Professional Fighters League. He has plied his trade all over and held championships in Bellator and King of the Cage. ‘The Red King’ has fought 28 times in a 15-year career. However, based on his words, it seems as though there is only one opponent in ‘Ruthless’ Robbie Lawler who managed to unnerve him. 

Fighting Robbie Lawler led Rory MacDonald to question himself

In a chat with ESPN MMA, ‘The Red King’ opened up on the man with whom he competed in ‘The Fight of the Decade.’ He said, “He does that thing you know? When Robbie gets pumped and he starts going like Alpha beast mode. He gets in your face and tries to intimidate you. I’ve seen him do that before.”

Along with these words was a clip of ‘Ruthless’ spitting blood out of his mouth. Here MacDonald adds, “I’ve always said it. I don’t want to be the guy that gets kind of alpha.”

At this point, the former UFC fighter brings up an anecdote from their first fight at UFC 167 in 2013. He says, “Robbie was always a very intimidating guy. I remember in the first fight I was on top of him in the second round or something, I was elbowing him. I was on him doing something… ground and pound… and he started laughing hysterically.”

Hearing an opponent’s laughter while being pummeled is certainly unnerving and it messes with people. This is exactly what ‘The Red King’ said he went through as he felt he could not hurt him. Could this be the reason he went down via a split decision? 

MacDonald concluded by sharing all he can do when he comes up against someone like that. “All I know is keep fighting, but it does something when someone has that intensity about them. That will and that fire. Makes you question if maybe he’s got more will and fire inside of him than you do.” 

Lawler only had one successful Welterweight title defense following his 2nd win over MacDonald at UFC 189. He beat Carlos Condit before dropping the title to Tyron Woodley in 2016. After that, ‘Ruthless’ only claimed a win over Donald Cerrone. As of now, the former Champion is on a 3 fight losing streak. He has lost to Rafael dos Anjos, Ben Askren, and Colby Covington. 

Time seems to have caught up, but fans know that ‘Ruthless’ can have one final performance which is synonymous with his intimidating heydays.