UFC betting online: It's not often that a title challenger is a big favorite over the reigning champ, but oddsmakers seem to think that the Rory MacDonald (18-2, 7 KOs, 6 SUBs) has Robbie Lawler's (25-10, 19 KOs, 1 SUB) number – despite the fact that Lawler has already beaten him.
That's not a knock on the champ, but a testament to how talented the Canadian challenger is.
Currently, Bookmaker's online UFC 189 odds have MacDonald at minus-195, with Lawler at plus+166. I'd expect the over/under to be either 3.5 or 4.5 rounds. Make sure to check the sportsbook for daily updates for the entire fight card and lock in your bets early if you find ones you like – they could change the very next day.
At just 25 years old, MacDonald has become a force at 170 pounds, losing only twice in the octagon. His first defeat came against Carlos Condit in 2010 in a fight that he was winning – the American rallied back from a two-round deficit to knock out MacDonald. The second loss came in 2013 against Lawler, a split-decision that could have gone either way.
However, MacDonald has kept evolving and is just starting to reach the limits of his massive potential. His upside is resonating with the oddsmakers. If he's truly put his seemingly limitless skills together, then his ceiling is much higher than Lawler's. MacDonald has been groomed as a future champion at a top-notch gym since he was a teenager.
While most MMA veterans today started off with a single foundation – a wrestler, kickboxer, judo player, etc. – MacDonald represents a new breed that started training in MMA. Blessed with superb athletic skills, MacDonald has never had to play catchup in any facet of MMA, and that's why he's so good at everything.
Lawler is great fighter with an awesome comeback story. But sadly, the fairytale probably comes to an end against MacDonald. While Lawler possesses the uncanny ability to end fights with a single punch, MacDonald's vast toolbox and cerebral fight game might be too much for the champ to overcome in a five round fight.
I see the fight going something like this: MacDonald's crisp, long jab will keep this from becoming the grueling slugfest that Lawler thrives in. And the challenger is too smart to deviate from his game plan. He'll use the threat of his superb wrestling to keep Lawler guessing, and stick and move his way to victory.
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