The epic battle between Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald from UFC 189 will join this year’s UFC Hall of Fame class.
The promotion announced during Saturday’s UFC 287 broadcast that the brutal welterweight title bout from July 2015, which saw Lawler defeat MacDonald by fifth-round TKO at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, will be enshrined in the Fight Wing of the hall as part of the 2023 induction class.
An instant classic is headed to the #UFCHOF 🙌@Ruthless_RL vs @Rory_MacDonald 2 will officially go down in UFC history!
[ B2YB @ToyoTires ] pic.twitter.com/x546ghwaH8
— UFC (@ufc) April 9, 2023
Robbie Lawler is in attendance at #UFC287 to receive his #UFCHOF honors in person 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/rvYoyDd5lJ
— UFC (@ufc) April 9, 2023
An ICONIC moment in UFC history!
Lawler vs MacDonald 2 is headed to the #UFCHOF for good reason 🔥 pic.twitter.com/uCwIcrN2pa
— UFC (@ufc) April 9, 2023
“The fight between Robbie Lawler and Rory McDonald at UFC 189 was one of the most exciting fights in UFC history,” UFC president Dana White said in a news release. “This was an absolute war and a complete display of heart, grit, determination and the will to win from both athletes. This five-round classic will always be remembered as one of the best, and I can’t wait to induct this fight into the UFC Hall of Fame this summer.”
Lawler vs. MacDonald 2 joins the 2023 UFC Hall of Fame class alongside the inductions of former UFC champions Anderson Silva, Jose Aldo and Jens Pulver.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 287.
