Rory MacDonald Pushes UFC To Get Title Fight With Robbie Lawler Finalized

After winning three straights bouts over Top 15-ranked opponents in 2014, UFC welterweight contender Rory MacDonald has finally earned a legitimate claim to the throne that many anointed him with not long after he made his UFC debut.

“The Red King” was promised that shot after his UFC Fight Night 54 win over former Strikeforce champ Tarec Saffiedine last October, but it was unceremoniously taken from his grasp by UFC brass instead.

He then signed on to face Hector Lombard at April’s UFC 125 from Montreal, but the blockbuster match-up fell apart when the hulking “Showeather” flunked a drug test for designer steroids after his UFC 182 win over Josh Burkman.

That left the door open for MacDonald to get his title shot, something that’s been a foregone conclusion for quite some time. It would seem like the most logical move for the promotion to make, and indeed there’s a rumor circulating that MacDonald vs. Robbie Lawler II is close to happening.

MacDonald took to Twitter in an effort to speed up the process, urging his bosses to get the bout finalized soon:

@arielhelwani im ready to go so lets get this title fight finalized @ufc @Ruthless_RL

— Rory MacDonald (@rory_macdonald) February 13, 2015

And why wouldn’t they?

MacDonald was willing to keep knocking off top contenders when they put him up against a dangerous enemy in Lombard, but there’s just not many other directions for him to go right now. Former champion Johny Hendricks will take on No. 5 Matt Brown on the main card of March 14’s UFC 185 pay-per-view (PPV); that is, if “The Immortal” doesn’t undergo any punishment for a recent alleged assault on his Jiu-jitsu coach.

There could be a small chance for Hendricks vs. MacDonald to be signed for the top contender spot.

But the better fight to make would be Lawler vs. Macdonald II. Their first fight at UFC 167 was a close one, and some still feel that MacDonald deserved the split decision more. Lawler has stated that he wants some time off after fighting five times in just over a year, but the warrior champion will no doubt be ready if and when the UFC calls.

It’s a fight that will eventually happen because it needs to happen. But when?

Photo Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports