Lawler vs. Macdonald Staredown
Staredowns are a fun part of the build-up to a major fight, but Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald took that one step further by having another square-off after the fourth round of their welterweight title clash at UFC 189 in 2015.
The two were engaged in one of the all-time classic title fight wars at the time – a bloody battle that had already left MacDonald with a nose so badly broken that it would continue to plague him for years afterwards, while Lawler’s top lip had been severed into two distinct pieces.
Nevertheless, at the conclusion of the fourth round Lawler spat out a fine mist of crimson and slowly swaggered towards MacDonald instead of going to his stool.
MacDonald, who was deathly pale with blood pouring from his nose didn’t back down and met him half-way – where presumably the two would have continued to stare into each other’s soul’s for the remainder of the break if officials and their cornermen hadn’t dragged them back to their corners for urgent repairs.
With the venue now crackling with electricity, the two warriors went back into battle, and a minute later Lawler emerged victorious after a final crunching blow to MacDonald’s nose sent him to the mat, unable to continue.
