The UFC White House event is creating so much buzz that even Rory MacDonald might consider coming out of retirement to fight on the card.
Since the idea of fighting on the White House lawn has taken on a life of its own, there has been no shortage of fighters looking to compete at such a unique event. Add MacDonald to that list, a UFC Hall of Famer in the Fight Wing for his absolute war in a rematch against Robbie Lawler for the welterweight title at UFC 189.
The “Red King” retired from competition in 2022 following a 12-fight stint under the Bellator and PFL banners. MacDonald admitted his heart simply wasn’t in the game anymore. It was so bad that he described one of his last fights as if he were in a dream, fighting underwater, unable to move properly.
After taking some time away, MacDonald is now back in the gym training. Speaking on the “JAXXON PODCAST,” MacDonald explained he’s back to stay in shape and lend his expertise to others. While he isn’t training for a return to competition at the moment, he admits the UFC White House card would be an event to pull him out of retirement.
“That would be tempting, yeah, for sure,” MacDonald said. “If I had the right opponent. I don’t know, though, if I’d be welcomed back or not. I don’t know where I stand.”
MacDonald, 36, exited the UFC after dropping a decision to Stephen Thompson, which came one fight after the epic battle with Lawler. Two fights later, he captured the Bellator welterweight title by defeating Douglas Lima. Overall, his post-UFC run produced a record of 5-6-1, ultimately deciding to hang up the gloves after back-to-back losses in 2022.
If MacDonald has been able to rekindle the flame that lit one of the scariest welterweights in the sport’s history, and he has enough left in the tank for another fight, why not revisit one of the best fights ever?
“I’d probably (fight) if Robbie was up for it,” MacDonald said about returning for the UFC White House card.
Lawler, 43, holds two wins over MacDonald. The first meeting came at UFC 167, which was a split decision nod. The rematch, dubbed the “Fight of the Ever” by UFC CEO Dana White, was a fifth-round TKO stoppage. Despite being in a 0-2 hole against him, MacDonald says he and Lawler are friends today, as they speak and text regularly. The potential trilogy would require Lawler to return from retirement, as his last fight was in 2023.
