5 Predictions For UFC 189

By Jay Anderson /

2. Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald

Weight Class: Welterweight Although it has been overshadowed by the presence of McGregor, with the switch from Aldo to Mendes, Lawler vs. MacDonald 2 is actually the more relevant title fight on the card, technically. Will it be the better fight? That's tough to say. Rory MacDonald (18€“2) and Robbie Lawler (25€“10 (1)) have fought before, and it wasn't exactly a stellar affair. MacDonald, who lost the bout in a dull decision, has long been hyped as the heir to Georges St. Pierre. Lawler went on to lose a bout against Johny Hendricks for the title vacated by GSP, then won two straight fights and rematched Hendricks, winning the title in the process. This will mark Lawler's first title defense since winning the strap. MacDonald is on a three fight win streak, and finally showed some killer instinct against Tarec Saffiedine in October, finishing him with strikes, but Lawler is a different beast, and much improved from their first bout. This will be a good fight, but expect Lawler to retain, winning by TKO in the later rounds.