DUBLIN – Rory MacDonald is eager to get back in the octagon with a top welterweight contender after falling short in a “Fight of the Year” contender against welterweight champion Robbie Lawler at UFC 189 in July.

MacDonald (18-3 MMA, 9-3) and Lawler (26-10 MMA, 11-4 UFC) engaged in one of the most thrilling title bouts in recent memory. “Red King” held a 3-1 lead on all scorecards going into the final round, but Lawler showed his championship gusto and earned a TKO win in the closing minutes of Round 5.

Both fighters were badly bruised and beaten after the memorable back-and-forth affair, which UFC President Dana White labeled his most impressive bout – his “Fight of the Ever” – afterward. MacDonald left the octagon with a broken nose and foot and has been on the mend ever since.

Coming up short in such a brutal contest can make or break an athlete. MacDonald said he’s more the former and said the experience is going to better his career.

“It was an amazing experience being able to go in there (and fight) five rounds, fight a fight with severe injuries that happened during the fight, like a broken nose and things like that; battling through that experience taught me lessons that I can’t get in the gym or any other experience,” MacDonald told MMAjunkie. “You have to get in there and feel it and know how to react to that situation. I’m happy I went through that because later on in my career, I’m going to have fights like that again, and I’m going to help be more composed and I’m going to act better, stay more relaxed, more focused, and I won’t freak out and gas out in the fifth like I did.

“It was really good for my career, and personally, I really enjoyed the experience. It was an amazing adrenaline rush to push through the things I was dealing with.”

Despite the silver lining, the reality is he’s now suffered two defeats to Lawler. When a fighter comes up short against a given opponent on two occasions – particularly when that opponent is a champion – it’s more difficult to get another title opportunity.

UFC fighters such as Joseph Benavidez, Chad Mendes, Anderson Silva and Renan Barao are in relatable situations, but MacDonald said the nature of his bouts with Lawler puts him in a unique position.

“(There have been) two great fights we’ve had so far, and the fans have loved it, so I think they would love to see a trilogy fight, and I would love to win that one,” MacDonald said. “I’m looking forward to it, and whenever it comes, I’ll be ready.”

Before a third fight with Lawler, though, MacDonald must get back in the win column. Ranked No. 3 in the NOS Energy Drink MMA welterweight rankings, there aren’t many logical matchups and only a limited number of opponents to share the octagon with.

The potential matchup that stands out to MacDonald most, though, is former Bellator champ Hector Lombard (34-4-1 MMA, 3-2 UFC). They were scheduled to fight at UFC 186 in April, but No. 7-ranked Lombard was yanked from the matchup after a failing drug test led to a one-year suspension.

Lombard’s suspension ends Jan. 3, and MacDonald said he would be ready to fight any time after that. While Lombard is his preferred matchup, MacDonald said he’s open to any opponent UFC matchmakers deem fitting.

“Anyone – anyone’s good with me,” MacDonald said. “I’m here to fight the best. I’ll fight anyone. They want me to fight Hector? Bang. Done. I’ll sign the paper. No worries. And if it’s someone else, that too. It’s all good.”

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