UFC 189 on July 11th just got a whole lot better as Dana White today announced that Rory MacDonald will challenge Robbie Lawler for his welterweight title. That means the card now has two title fights as Conor McGregor vs. Jose Aldo was previously announced for the card.
The two first met at UFC 167 where Lawler out scored MacDonald en route to a split decision win. That win meant that Lawler challenged for the title at UFC 171 but lost out narrowly to Johny Hendricks. The American Top Team fighter then won his next two fights against Jake Ellenberger and Matt Brown, respectively, before snatching the title in the rematch with Hendricks at UFC 181 in December.
The UFC then tried to set up a rubber match between Hendricks and Lawler but was met before universal backlash. As a results Hendricks vs. Matt Brown was announced for UFC 185 next month and now today they announced the welterweight title fight.
Since his loss to Lawler just over a year ago, MacDonald has racked off three straight victories in 2014 beating Damian Maia, Tyron Woodley and, most recently, Tarec Saffiedine.
McGregor vs. Aldo will still serve as the main event of UFC 189 despite being the lower weight class.
