With Jose Aldo possibly being out of his bout against Conor McGregor, the welterweight title fight between champion Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald could very well be the new headliner for UFC 189 next week.
The welterweight division has never before been so crowded at the top, as it is now, with a whole series of worthy challengers waiting for their opportunity. Former champion Johny Hendricks and former interim champion Carlos Condit are the two most likely contenders who will get their hands on the Lawler-MacDonald winner.
Hendricks is ranked number one behind champion Lawler, whom he lost the title to in December. Condit is ranked number four, after making an impressive comeback against Thiago Alves after a lengthy injury-related absence. He also lost a decision to Hendricks in 2013, and yet, if you ask MacDonald, Condit should be the one getting the shot:
“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,” he told MMA Junkie.
While the Canadian standout believes both fighters “are great, and either one is going to be a great challenger,” he would “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. He’s a very dangerous fighter,” MacDonald said
“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.”
Rory MacDonald will challenge Robbie Lawler for the UFC welterweight championship at UFC 189 on July 11 in Las Vegas, NV.