Category: Rory MacDonald

  • Cut! Three Fighters Removed from the UFC Roster

    Cut! Three Fighters Removed from the UFC Roster

    Last month, news broke that long-time UFC welterweight contender Rory MacDonald had abandoned the UFC to join the Bellator roster. It should come as no surprise, then, that his fighter profile has been removed from the UFC website. As it turns out, however, two other fighters have also been released from the UFC in the last […]

  • Rory MacDonald is a Fan of the Brutal Rules used in Early Days of MMA

    Rory MacDonald is a Fan of the Brutal Rules used in Early Days of MMA

    MMA can be pretty brutal at times. As fans of the sport, we frequently witness thunderous knockouts, bloody battles, and freak injuries. Yet MMA is also a heavily regulated sport, with a long list of rules in place to promote fighter safety. Groin shots are illegal. Eye pokes are too. Headbutts are forbidden. Hair-pulling is […]

  • Rory MacDonald addresses criticism of Bellator roster

    Rory MacDonald addresses criticism of Bellator roster

    When longtime UFC welterweight Rory MacDonald officially signed with Bellator MMA, many members of the MMA community began criticizing ‘The Red King’ for the move, stating that MacDonald won’t be facing as tough of competition in Bellator as he did in the UFC. MacDonald took to Twitter to address the criticism: ppl sayin bellator doesnt […]

  • VIDEO | Watch Rory MacDonald Get a Warm Welcome to Bellator

    VIDEO | Watch Rory MacDonald Get a Warm Welcome to Bellator

    One of the biggest stories of the last week has been Rory MacDonald’s move from the UFC to Bellator, where a long list of exciting new matchups now await him. Now that the dust has settled, Bellator has released some awesome, behind the scenes footage of MacDonald’s first moments as a Bellator fighter. Watch the video above to […]

  • Rory MacDonald on Bellator Goals: I Want to Be A Two-Division Champion

    Rory MacDonald on Bellator Goals: I Want to Be A Two-Division Champion

    On Monday afternoon, Ariel Helwani returned to our screens with the latest episode of The MMA Hour. One of this episode’s many big-name guests was Bellator lightweight champ Rory MacDonald, who joined Helwani to discuss his time with the UFC and his move to Bellator MMA. According to the former welterweight title contender, nothing was certain after […]

  • Rory MacDonald blasts Robbie Lawler, accuses him of using PED’s at UFC 189

    Rory MacDonald blasts Robbie Lawler, accuses him of using PED’s at UFC 189

    On Monday afternoon, Ariel Helwani returned to our screens with the latest episode of The MMA Hour. One of this episode’s many big-name guests was Rory MacDonald, who shook up the fight world by announcing that he recently heard that Robbie Lawler failed a drug test in the wake of their July 2015 rematch. Here’s what […]

  • Matt Mitrione to Rory MacDonald: “You’ll be happy here in Bellator. It’s like it used to be.”

    Matt Mitrione to Rory MacDonald: “You’ll be happy here in Bellator. It’s like it used to be.”

    Former UFC welterweight title challenger Rory MacDonald recently inked himself a deal with Bellator MMA. MacDonald talked about his decision to leave the UFC at the Bellator 160 press conference (watch here). Following the news that Rory had signed with Bellator MMA, former UFC heavyweight Matt Mitrione, who also signed with the Viacom-owned promotion, sent […]

  • Georges St-Pierre reacts to teammate Rory MacDonald signing with Bellator

    Georges St-Pierre reacts to teammate Rory MacDonald signing with Bellator

    Former UFC welterweight title challenger Rory MacDonald made waves last week when he announced that he had ‘jumped ship’ and signed with Bellator MMA. The top ranked welterweight fighter revealed his reasons for leaving the UFC during last night’s Bellator 160 press conference (watch here). MacDonald’s teammate and former UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre had […]

  • VIDEO | Rory MacDonald was tired of being a “UFC Robot”

    VIDEO | Rory MacDonald was tired of being a “UFC Robot”

    Former UFC welterweight title challenger Rory MacDonald recently jumped ship and signed a deal to fight under the Bellator banner. “The Red King” talked about his decision to leave the UFC at yesterday’s Bellator 160 event stating that he felt like a “robot” during his final fights with the promotion (after the Reebok deal). Rory […]

  • PHOTO | Rory MacDonald officially signs with Bellator MMA

    PHOTO | Rory MacDonald officially signs with Bellator MMA

    News surfaced earlier this week that UFC veteran Rory MacDonald had decided to sign with Bellator MMA after opting to test free agency following his ‘UFC Ottawa’ scrap with Stephen Thompson earlier this summer. While the announcement of MacDonald signing with Bellator was all but official given the fact that the UFC declined to match […]

  • Rory MacDonald officially becomes Bellator MMA fighter

    Rory MacDonald officially becomes Bellator MMA fighter

    Wednesday morning, news surfaced that the UFC had removed Rory MacDonald from their official welterweight rankings. This led to much speculation regarding MacDonald signing with Bellator MMA, given that Bellator MMA President Scott Coker stated recently that negotiations with MacDonald were going well. Now, FrontRowBrian has confirmed in addition to FloCombat, revealing that the UFC […]

  • Rory MacDonald removed from UFC rankings

    Rory MacDonald removed from UFC rankings

    Going into Rory MacDonald’s ‘UFC: Ottawa’ scrap with Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson, the welterweight star was very open about the fact that the fight was the last on his contract, and that he would be testing the free agency. While there has been no word yet as to where MacDonald will land, Bellator MMA President Scott […]

  • Bellator discussions “going well” with Rory MacDonald

    Bellator discussions “going well” with Rory MacDonald

    Following Rory MacDonald’s unanimous decision loss to Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson last month, it was revealed that MacDonald would be testing free agency given that his UFC contract was up. Earlier this month, news surfaced that MacDonald and his management team were in negotiations with Bellator MMA. While nothing has been made official, Bellator MMA President […]

  • Bellator in talks with Rory MacDonald

    Bellator in talks with Rory MacDonald

    Going into Rory MacDonald’s “UFC Fight Night: Ottawa” scrap with Stephen Thompson, ‘The Red King’ knew he had to deliver a stellar performance given that it was the last fight on his contract. While the pair put on a spectacular showing, MacDonald lost the bout via unanimous decision. In the wake of the bout, it […]

  • Rory MacDonald a new proud father

    Rory MacDonald a new proud father

    Former UFC title contender Rory MacDonald hit a new milestone in life. MacDonald is a new father of a baby girl, according to his Tristar head coach Firas Zahabi. Zahabi made the announcement on twitter on Sunday saying, “Welcome to @rory_macdonald and Olivia’s new arrival. God bless! Rory you got 16 years to beef up […]

  • PHOTO | Rory MacDonald and Stephen Thompson still friends after fighting

    PHOTO | Rory MacDonald and Stephen Thompson still friends after fighting

    Rory MacDonald and Stephen Thompson put their friendship aside for five rounds in the Octagon as the two fought in the main event of UFC Fight Night 89 over the weekend. “Wonderboy” was able to pick up a unanimous decision victory over MacDonald and has likely positioned himself as the next fighter to be in […]

  • VIDEO | Stephen Thompson and Rory MacDonald octagon interviews

    VIDEO | Stephen Thompson and Rory MacDonald octagon interviews

    Stephen Thompson defeated Rory MacDonald via decision in the main event of UFC Fight Night 89 last night in Ottawa. Check out both fighters post-fight octagon interviews in the above video. [ooyala code=”cxeWczNDE6RJ040jXyA_Gp-ffv3gFDLW” player_id=”bd214e34cfad476984102de4bf5e8da2″]

  • Rory MacDonald & Stephen Thompson predict Robbie Lawler vs. Tyron Woodley

    Rory MacDonald & Stephen Thompson predict Robbie Lawler vs. Tyron Woodley

    Saturday night in Ottawa, former teammates Rory MacDonald and Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson will square off in a highly anticipated matchup of welterweight contenders that will likely see the next welterweight title challenger crowned. The winner of MacDonald vs. Thompson will likely be facing the winner of UFC 201’s Robbie Lawler vs. Tyron Woodley scrap, which […]

  • VIDEO | Rory MacDonald discusses layoff after Robbie Lawler fight

    VIDEO | Rory MacDonald discusses layoff after Robbie Lawler fight

    https://youtu.be/O98TwDribY8 Nearly a year ago, Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald put on one of the most spectacular fights in the history of the UFC for the welterweight championship. The fight saw MacDonald up 3-1 on the judges scorecards going into the 5th round. Lawler ended up coming out strong in the 5th round, knocking out […]

  • UFC executive encourages Rory MacDonald ‘to go into the open market’

    UFC executive encourages Rory MacDonald ‘to go into the open market’

    Top UFC welterweight Rory MacDonald has one more fight on his UFC contract, which will take place at UFC Fight Night 89 this weekend. MacDonald will headline the event against Stephen Thompson that could likely determine the next in line to fight for the UFC welterweight title. However, after this fight, MacDonald will be a […]

  • VIDEO | Rory MacDonald discusses lasting impact of Robbie Lawler fight

    VIDEO | Rory MacDonald discusses lasting impact of Robbie Lawler fight

    Rory Macdonald breaks down his bout vs. @WonderboyMMA and the lasting affects of his brutal war with Robbie Lawler. https://t.co/kxOK4WCmv3 — FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) June 16, 2016 Back at UFC 189, nearly a year ago, Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald fought for the welterweight championship in what became one of the most historic fights […]

  • GIF | The transforming face of Rory MacDonald during fight with Robbie Lawler

    GIF | The transforming face of Rory MacDonald during fight with Robbie Lawler

    Rory MacDonald and Robbie Lawler had one of the most exciting fights that saw both men battle and show an unbelievable amount of heart at UFC 189. Ahead of MacDonald’s next fight, Dr. Patrick Wyman of Bleacher Report tweeted a GIF of MacDonald’s face during each round, showing the amount of physical damage that progressed […]

  • Rory MacDonald vs. Stephen Thompson statistical breakdown

    Rory MacDonald vs. Stephen Thompson statistical breakdown

    A key welterweight fight between top contenders Rory MacDonald (18-3 MMA) and Stephen Thompson (12-1 MMA) will headline next weekend’s UFC Fight Night event in Ottawa. Here is a statistical comparison of the two fighters competing in next weekend’s main event (via @Fightnomics): Main Event next weekend-really intriguing matchup. Wonderboy's striking stats are bonkers, but […]

  • VIDEO | Rory MacDonald vs. Stephen Thompson preview

    VIDEO | Rory MacDonald vs. Stephen Thompson preview

    On June 18th, two elite members of the UFC’s welterweight division, Rory MacDonald and Stephen Thompson, will square off in a pivotal welterweight matchup that could see the next welterweight title challenger determined. For MacDonald, the fight will be his first since his brutal UFC 189 fight with Robbie Lawler for the welterweight championship, in […]

  • VIDEO | #TBT battle of the 16-year-olds – Rory MacDonald vs. Jordan Mein

    VIDEO | #TBT battle of the 16-year-olds – Rory MacDonald vs. Jordan Mein

    https://youtu.be/X7Q30bYFOgI Here’s a trip down memory lane to Rory MacDonald’s third professional fight at the young age of 16! Fellow Canadian Jordan Mein made his professional debut against MacDonald at Rumble in the Cage 17, back on June 17, 2006. MacDonald has matured to be one of the greatest welterweight fighters in the world. MacDonald’s […]

  • PHOTO | Rory MacDonald brings in ‘Karate Expert’ for bout with Stephen Thompson

    PHOTO | Rory MacDonald brings in ‘Karate Expert’ for bout with Stephen Thompson

    UFC welterweight contenders Rory MacDonald and Stephen Thompson are set for battle at UFC Fight Night 89 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on June 18. MacDonald and head coach Firas Zahabi have brought in some help to train for their fight with Thompson, who comes from a karate background. Zahabi posted the following photo to twitter […]

  • Rory MacDonald reveals main reason he is looking outside the UFC ‘to start getting paid’

    Rory MacDonald reveals main reason he is looking outside the UFC ‘to start getting paid’

    Rory MacDonald is one of the elite welterweights in the UFC and is set to fight Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson at UFC Fight Night 89 in Ottawa, Canada on June 18. The winner of the fight will likely be the next to challenge for the welterweight title. However, this will be MacDonald’s last fight on his […]

  • Bellator MMA looking to pursue Rory MacDonald

    Bellator MMA looking to pursue Rory MacDonald

    While Rory MacDonald is currently slated to fight Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson in the main event of UFC Fight Night 89 in June, the top ranked welterweight has expressed his desire to test the free agency after the fight given that his contract is expired. Unsurprisingly, Bellator MMA, who have scooped up quite a few UFC […]