Rory MacDonald Expects To Fight Robbie Lawler ‘A Couple More Times’

Rory MacDonald (18-3) is set to fight Stephen Thompson (12-1) in the main of UFC Fight Night 89 in a welterweight bout and spoke with FOX Sports to promote the fight. During the interview, MacDonald talked about his classic fight with UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler at UFC 189. In that fight, both fighters went to war and MacDonald suffered a broken nose, which was nasty. Lawler won the fight by fifth round TKO. MacDonald thinks he will fight Lawler a couple more times.

“I wouldn’t be surprised at all if me and Robbie fight another couple of time. I really don’t know how much time he has left in his career, but I know I have many fights left at the top of the sport. If he’s still around in a few years, I wouldn’t be surprised if we fight multiple times.”

MacDonald was then asked about his fight with Thompson. According to MacDonald, he believes he is a different kind of fighter and a better striker than Thompson’s previous opponents.

“I think he’s a vicious striker but I don’t think a lot of the competition he’s faced really understand his striking the way that I do,” MacDonald explained. “So I think that’s where I’m going to have the advantage versus the guys that he’s fought. He’s made them look pretty bad. I don’t feel that I’m going to be put in the same boat as his last few fights.

“I believe that this fight could go many different directions. I feel confident dragging him into deep waters in the fifth round, but I also feel confident in the first few rounds as well. I prepared myself for every scenario this fight could go. I really don’t feel I’ve been prepared for any other fight in my career. If I don’t have the best performance of my life then kudos to Stephen for shutting me down.”

UFC Fight Night 89 takes place on June 18 at the TD Place in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The prelims kick off at 6:45 p.m. ET/3:45 p.m. PT on Fight Pass then continue over to FOX Sports 1 at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT. The main card will air at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT on FOX Sports 1.