For five rounds Saturday night, Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald were mortal enemies, bludgeoning each other with waves of crushing blows.
Once the fight was over, though, that animosity morphed quickly into respect.
Lawler knocked out MacDonald in the fifth round of their UFC 189 co-main event at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, successfully defending his welterweight crown.
Both fighters took their fair share of abuse and left the Octagon bruised and bloodied in what UFC president Dana White hailed as one of the best fights ever.
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The damage was so bad for MacDonald that he had to go to the hospital, but in a terrific show of sportsmanship and respect, Lawler visited his vanquished opponent after the fight, posing for a photo taken by MacDonald’s trainer, Firas Zahabi.
Warning: This photo contains graphic content.
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MMA can be a brutal sport at times, but it’s clear sportsmanship still is alive and well. After defeating Chad Mendes to win the interim featherweight title, McGregor praised Mendes — albeit while taking a shot at the injured Jose Aldo — for his courage and tenacity.
Thumbnail photo via Joe Camporeale/USA TODAY Sports Images
