Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Vegas Play of the Day: UFC 189’s Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald

UFC189 Weigh Ins at the MGM Grand

L.E. Baskow

UFC189 welterweight fighter Robbie Lawler allows opponent Rory MacDonald to place a fist temporarily on his chin during their face off following weigh ins at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Friday, July 10, 2015. They will meet for a title fight. L.E. Baskow

We've reset the Play of the Day with fresh bankrolls and turned it into a yearly competition. Our three sports writers have restarted with $10,000 bankrolls to continue using on odds from the South Point.

Rory MacDonald minus-170 vs. Robbie Lawler: $1,700 to win $1,000

Flash back to a year and a half ago when these two last fought. MacDonald closed as a minus-400 favorite.

Yes, he ended up losing but the fight was much closer than many remember it. Lawler eked out a split decision and I, albeit controversially, was among those who scored the fight for MacDonald.

The action showed the two fighters were more evenly matched than expected, but there was nothing to suggest the line needed to be reduced by more than 50 percent. Not when the 25-year-old MacDonald has gotten better and entered the prime of his career since the loss.

Lawler has impressed too, of course, in winning the welterweight title but he’s 33-years-old and has 37 career fights. We’ve likely seen his best whereas MacDonald could still progress significantly.

MacDonald was always seen as a future champion. UFC 189 should be the site where he puts it all together.

Current Standings (as of July 1): Brewer (3-1, $11,000), Bern (1-0, $10,400), Keefer (0-4, $8,760)

Lifetime Records: 2014-15 champion Bern (86-74-1), Keefer (83-90-2), Brewer (74-90-2)

Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.

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