Rory MacDonald: Carlos Condit Should Get The Next Title Shot

With shocking and upsetting news breaking yesterday (June 23, 2015) of a rib injury suffered to featherweight champion Jose Aldo that may force him out of his upcoming mega fight with Conor McGregor, UFC 189’s co-main event, a welterweight title fight between champion Robbie Lawler and challenger Rory MacDonald could find itself as the new main event depending on the outcome of this situation.

The two welterweights have actually met before, with Lawler earning a split-decision victory over the “Red King” back at UFC 167 in November 2013. However, MacDonald plans to take it this time, and if he does, he’ll have a list of hungry challengers waiting for him in the form of No. 1-ranked Johny Hendricks, No. 3-ranked Tyron Woodley, and No. 4-ranked Carlos Condit.

Speaking on the situation, MacDonald said that he would like the next shot to go to Condit, who recently returned from a 14-month layoff to batter former title challenger Thiago Alves:

“I’d like it if Carlos got (the title shot) because I think Carlos is one of the best in the division and the most dangerous fighter with a five-round fight,” MacDonald told MMAjunkie. “He’s a very dangerous fighter.”

.All three men may be deserving of a title shot, and Condit actually owns a loss to Hendricks, albeit a few years back. However, “Red King” believes that “The Natural Born Killer” performs better in five-round fights, and would’ve edged out a victory over Hendricks if their bout was indeed five-rounds.

At the end of the day, the Canadian superstar simply believes Condit is the more dangerous fighter:

“Three-round fights I don’t think are beneficial to (Condit); I think that’s why he lost the decision against Hendricks,” MacDonald said. “I think if that was a five-round fight – you can’t say for sure because it didn’t happen – but I think it was going toward Carlos in that fight if it kept going longer.

“I think Carlos is a more dangerous fighter, personally. Not that Johny’s not (dangerous); he’s great, he’s a top contender, and he was a champion for a reason.”

This scenario would leave Woodley in a tough spot, although the UFC could match him up with Hendricks, a bout he has been campaigning for if Condit indeed gets the shot. However, has “The Natural Born Killer” done enough to earn another shot at gold?

We’ll have to just sit back and see, as we may be getting ahead of ourselves before UFC 189 even takes place.