It was a major shakeup when former #1 UFC ranked welterweight, Rory MacDonald was announced a signed Bellator MMA fighter.
Now, just a little over three months have passed since MacDonald signed under Bellator, it looks like the Canadian just did some matchmaking himself on social media and arranged for his first fight since leaving the UFC.
The “Red King” took to twitter to ask current Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima who he wanted to fight next.
“@PhenomLima WHO? and WHEN? do you want to fight next? cuz im lookin at july 2017.
the choice is yours champ,” MacDonald tweeted on Wednesday.
@PhenomLima WHO? and WHEN? do you want to fight next? cuz im lookin at july 2017.
the choice is yours champ— Rory MacDonald (@rory_macdonald) November 30, 2016
Lima replied, “Treating some minor injuries. I’ll be ready by April, but willing to wait for ya… Let’s do this!”
Treating some minor injuries. I'll be ready by April, but willing to wait for ya… Let's do this! https://t.co/jkfHnUTLEA
— Douglas Lima (@PhenomLima) November 30, 2016
MacDonald was thrilled at Lima’s reply and tweeted back, “@PhenomLima very happy to hear that! all the best with the recovery. thx for the opportunity.”
@PhenomLima very happy to hear that! all the best with the recovery. thx for the opportunity
— Rory MacDonald (@rory_macdonald) November 30, 2016
Lima was a very polite in the call out and tweeted to MacDonald, “Nah thank you you’re one of the best and I have a lot of respect for you. Can’t wait to share the cage with you.”
Nah thank you you're one of the best and I have a lot of respect for you. Can't wait to share the cage with you. https://t.co/vwpDHGico1
— Douglas Lima (@PhenomLima) November 30, 2016
Douglas “The Phenom” Lima is coming off a huge win, getting back the Bellator welterweight title from Andrey Koreshkov, the man he lost the belt to in July of 2015. Prior to the rematch against Koreshkov, Lima picked up a unanimous decision victory over Paul Daley.
Rory MacDonald is coming off two consecutive losses in the UFC against the most recent UFC welterweight title contender, Stephen Thompson and Robbie Lawler, who was the UFC welterweight champion at the time. Prior to the two losses, MacDonald was on a three-fight winning streak, which includes a unanimous decision win over current UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley.
What are your thoughts on Rory MacDonald’s first potential Bellator matchup being a title fight against current Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima? Sound off in the comments on how you think the fight would go!