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UFC Legend Rory MacDonald Retires: Reflects on Intense Lawler Fight and Life After MMA

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UFC legend Rory MacDonald explains why he won’t return to the Octagon, dimming hope for fans eager to see him fight again.

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UFC Legend Rory MacDonald Retires: Reflects on Intense Lawler Fight and Life After MMA

The former Bellator welterweight champion, Rory MacDonald, has definitively closed the door on a potential UFC comeback, stating that he lacks the drive and intensity required to compete at the championship level. The 35-year-old Canadian made waves in the MMA world when he announced his retirement in 2022 after a 2-4 stint in the PFL.

“It’s Not for Me Anymore”: MacDonald on UFC Return

MacDonald’s last UFC appearance was in 2015 against Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson, and three years into his retirement, he was brutally honest about the possibility of a return:

“From time to time, the itch comes back, but shortly after, when I actually think about it and what it entails, I’m not that kind of person anymore. I don’t have the drive, the intensity it takes to be at a championship level anymore.”

These remarks come nearly nine years since his last UFC bout and over eight years since his brutal title rematch against Robbie Lawler at UFC 189, a fight frequently referred to as ‘the most vicious in UFC history’ due to the copious amount of blood and gruesome injuries suffered by both fighters.

MacDonald’s Life After MMA

Once considered Canada’s next Georges St-Pierre, MacDonald’s career took a downturn post-UFC, despite winning the Bellator welterweight title in 2017. He would go on to lose the belt in a rematch against Douglas Lima in 2019 and struggle in the PFL, ultimately retiring after a 2022 loss to Dilano Taylor.

Since retiring, MacDonald is content with managing rental properties and day-trading, spending time with his family and remaining disconnected from MMA.

A Look Back: MacDonald – Lawler at UFC 189

The fight that many believe changed the course of MacDonald’s career, the incredibly brutal encounter with Lawler, is one of the most talked-about matches in UFC history. Fueled by a barrage of punches, knees, and elbows, the fight ended in the fifth round with a TKO loss for MacDonald, leaving him with a broken nose and Lawler with a split lip and extensive facial damage.

dripping with sweat and exhaustion, Lawler could only muster a faint "I’m still alive" in the post-fight interview. MacDonald, though defeated, was lauded for his performance and the sheer gruesomeness of the bout.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why did Rory MacDonald retire?

MacDonald cited he lacked the drive and intensity required to compete at a championship level as his main reason for retiring.

When was Rory MacDonald’s last UFC fight?

MacDonald’s last UFC fight was against Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson in 2015.

What was Rory MacDonald’s most infamous UFC fight?

Rory MacDonald’s most infamous UFC fight was his title rematch against Robbie Lawler at UFC 189, known for its intense violence and gruesome injuries.

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