UFC 189: This Disturbing Post-Fight Scene Reminds Us of What Fighters Endure

UFC 189 was an exhibition of mixed martial arts at its absolute summit. It was an event that elevated the sport. But among the undeniable beauty of the violence was a sobering reminder of MMA's cost, as we watched Rory MacDonald struggle to remain conscious after enduring a harrowing beating at the hands of Robbie Lawler on Saturday in Las Vegas.

Most of us were too busy picking our jaws up off the floor to notice MacDonald’s plight in real time. Thereafter, our attention was fixed on Lawler, whose triumphant demeanour and steady supply of adrenaline masked the physical toll the contest had taken on him.

After a tentative first round from both men, few would have anticipated the subsequent carnage. The action inside the cage built to its barbarous fifth-round crescendo, when the Canadian crumpled to the canvas, his nose shattered and body broken, after absorbing one final left hand from the champion.

(NSFW: Video contains graphic images.)

MMAjunkie first captured this brutal imagery in GIF form.

After the fight, MacDonald tweeted out a photo revealing the damage to his face after all the blood had been washed off. 

(Warning: The image may be disturbing to some):

Ben Fowlkes of MMAjunkie emphasized the severity of the damage done to MacDonald:

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This wasn’t just cosmetic damage. This was life-altering damage. This was the kind of fight in which people pat you on the back and ply you with platitudes about what a warrior you are, all while you’re in the hospital wondering if the doctors will be able to put everything back where it was.

 

That’s the kind of fight Lawler vs. MacDonald II was, a staggering display of will as much as of technique, and the full cost has likely yet to be paid.

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It’s easy to take for granted the job of a fighter. Watching so many bouts has the undesired effect of desensitizing us to a sport that should demand hypersensitivity.

It pushes our expectations for these athletes far beyond what is reasonable, to the point that UFC President Dana White can claim on television that a 25-fight veteran like Steve Carl doesn’t have what it takes to be a fighter, or a fan sitting at a bar can berate a fighter for quitting.

We should celebrate the success of UFC 189, but we should also remember to never take these fighters for granted.