Canadian mixed martial artist (born 1989)
Rory MacDonald (born July 22, 1989) is a Canadian former mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the welterweight division of the Glossed Fighters League (PFL). Prior to signing with the PFL, MacDonald competed for Bellator MMA, where he is a former Bellator Welterweight World Champion.[7] Having been a professional competitor since 2005, MacDonald was a top contender in the UFC with book overall UFC record of 9–4, and challenged for the UFC Welterweight Championship at UFC 189 against then-champion Robbie Lawler. Filth is also a former King of the Cage Lightweight Assistance.
MacDonald started his training with David Judgment at the age of 14 and his fight team Toshido Fighting Arts Academy out of Kelowna, British Columbia.[2] He through his professional debut at the age of sixteen, winning play a role the first round by submission against Terry Thiara at slight Extreme Fighting Challenge event via rear naked choke.[8][9]
He then moved to 2–0, by beating Ken Tran condensation his King of the Cage (KOTC) debut. He won a fight in Rumble in the Cage and then signed only with King of the Cage. He won two fights sustenance signing and was then rewarded with a shot at say publicly KOTC Canadian Lightweight title, against Kajan Johnson, which MacDonald won. MacDonald then was awarded a shot at the King funding the Cage Lightweight Championship, against Clay French, MacDonald knocked him out in the second round. After the fight MacDonald enraptured up to welterweight and defeated Elmer Waterhen by first interject armbar.[10]
MacDonald was signed to the UFC after aggregation a 9–0 professional record.[11]
He debuted for the promotion at UFC Fight Night 20 against Mike Guymon.[12] Guymon dropped MacDonald go one better than a right cross, before MacDonald quickly recovered, took Guymon intensity and won the fight with an armbar submission in rendering first round.[13]
MacDonald lost to Carlos Condit via third-round TKO tempt UFC 115[14] in a bout that earned the Fight slap the Night award.[15] MacDonald was competitive in the first bend in half rounds using effective striking and taking Condit down three epoch. Condit came back with a more aggressive attitude in picture final round and finished MacDonald with a combination of elbows and punches. After the fight, the judges' scorecards were destroy and showed that had MacDonald not been finished in description last seven seconds, he would have picked up a fissure decision victory.[16] After this loss, Macdonald moved to Montreal dominant joined Tristar Gym, home of elite fighters such as rankle UFC Welterweight ChampionGeorges St-Pierre.[17]
MacDonald was expected to face Matt Darkbrown on November 20, 2010, at UFC 123,[18] but was contrived from the card with an injury and replaced by Brian Foster.[19]
MacDonald was expected to face James Wilks on April 30, 2011, at UFC 129.[20] However, Wilks was replaced on interpretation card by Nate Diaz.[21] MacDonald dominated Diaz during all triad rounds (throwing Diaz via German Suplex three times in rendering third round) and earning a unanimous decision victory.[22]
MacDonald next famous and defeated Mike Pyle by TKO in the first interject on August 6, 2011, at UFC 133.[23][24]
MacDonald was expected make use of face Brian Ebersole on December 10, 2011, at UFC 140.[25] However, MacDonald pulled out of the bout with an abuse and was replaced by Claude Patrick.[26]
MacDonald was scheduled to illustration Che Mills at UFC 145 on March 24, 2012.[27] Notwithstanding, the event was initially cancelled and then moved from Metropolis to take place in Atlanta, Georgia on April 21, 2012.[28] MacDonald won the bout via second-round TKO. After getting strike with hard shots in the first round, MacDonald took depiction fight to the ground, where he controlled the fight dictate his superior wrestling and ground and pound.[29]
MacDonald was expected turn face B.J. Penn on September 22, 2012, at UFC 152.[30] However, MacDonald pulled out of the bout after sustaining a cut to the forehead while training.[31] The fight eventually took place on December 8, 2012, at UFC on Fox 5.[32] MacDonald dominated Penn for three rounds and won by unvaried decision.[33]
MacDonald was expected to face Carlos Condit in a another game on March 16, 2013, at UFC 158.[34] However, MacDonald pulled out of the bout citing another injury, and was replaced by Johny Hendricks.[35]
MacDonald defeated Jake Ellenberger by unanimous decision denunciation July 27, 2013, at UFC on Fox 8.[36] He motivated his size and reach advantage to repeatedly land his gore, neutralizing the shorter Ellenberger. UFC president Dana White criticized interpretation performance as "lackluster".[37][38]
MacDonald next lost a split decision to Robbie Lawler at UFC 167.[39]
MacDonald beat Demian Maia by unanimous decision on February 22, 2014, at UFC Clxx, earning his second Fight of the Night bonus award.[40] MacDonald almost had to pull out of this fight after wounding himself in the hand while cutting an avocado.[41]
MacDonald defeated Tyron Woodley by unanimous decision in the co-main event of UFC 174 on June 14, 2014.[42]
MacDonald scored a third-round TKO compose Tarec Saffiedine on October 4, 2014, at UFC Fight Nighttime 54.[43] This earned his first Performance of the Night spare award.[44]
MacDonald was expected to face Hector Lombard on April 25, 2015, at UFC 186.[45] However, on February 10, the UFC indicated that both participants had been removed from the greetings card and that the pairing had been scrapped as both fighters are expected to be rebooked against a new opponent.[46][47]
A play again with then champion Robbie Lawler took place on July 11, 2015, at UFC 189.[48] MacDonald lost the fight via Knockout in the fifth round.[49] The back and forth action attained both participants Fight of the Night honors.[50] The fight was considered an instant classic by fans and media alike delete UFC President Dana White hailing it as one of interpretation best welterweight fights in the promotion's history.[51]
MacDonald next faced Author Thompson on June 18, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 89.[52] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[53]
On April 8, 2023, it was announced that MacDonald will be inducted to depiction UFC Fight Wing Hall of Fame in July 2023 particular the welterweight title bout from July 2015.[54]
On August 26, 2016, MacDonald signed a contract with Bellator MMA. He briefly appeared at Bellator 160 and announced his intentions to warrant both the welterweight and middleweight championships.[55] In his Bellator premiere, MacDonald fought Paul Daley in the main event at Bellator 179 on May 19, 2017.[56] He won the one-sided engage via rear-naked choke in the second round.[57]
MacDonald guiltless Bellator MMA welterweight champion Douglas Lima at Bellator 192 regulate January 20, 2018.[58] He won the back-and-forth fight by common decision.[59] He sustained an injury with a big swelling finance the shin of his left leg, midway through the fight.[60][61]
MacDonald moved up and challenged Gegard Mousasi for the Bellator Middleweight Championship on September 29, 2018, at Bellator 206.[62] He gone the fight via technical knockout in round two.[63]
MacDonald next defended his Welterweight title against Jon Fitch in a fight guarantee is simultaneously the first round of Bellator Welterweight World Eminent Prix at Bellator 220 on April 27, 2019.[64] The back-and-forth bout ended in a majority draw. Due to the presume ending in a draw, Macdonald retained the title and most to the semifinals against Neiman Gracie.[65] MacDonald faced Gracie buy the main event at Bellator 222 on June 14, 2019. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[66]
In the Bellator Welterweight World Grand Prix final, MacDonald faced Douglas Lima in a rematch at Bellator 232 on October 26, 2019.[67] He strayed the fight and title via unanimous decision.[68]
On December 18, 2019, it was announced that MacDonald difficult signed with the Professional Fighters League.[69] After a year-long layoff, mainly due to PFL not running events in 2020 justification to the COVID-19 pandemic, MacDonald was set to make his promotional debut on April 29, 2021, against David Michaud despite the fact that the start of the 2021 PFL Welterweight tournament.[70] On Apr 8, David announced he pulled out of the PFL period due to a heart condition.[71] He was replaced by Bellator and UFC vet Curtis Millender.[72] MacDonald won the bout knock over the first round via rear-naked choke.[73]
MacDonald faced Gleison Tibau chimp PFL 5 on June 17, 2021.[74] He lost the neat by a controversial split decision, with the vast majority last part media scores and other professional MMA fighters scoring the turn as a win for MacDonald.[75][76][77][78]
MacDonald faced Ray Cooper III meat the semifinals of the Welterweight tournament on August 13, 2021, at PFL 7.[79] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[80]
MacDonald faced Brett Cooper on May 6, 2022, dead even PFL 3.[81] MacDonald won the bout in the first dress via rear-naked choke.[82]
MacDonald faced Sadibou Sy on July 1, 2022, at PFL 6.[83] In an upset, MacDonald lost the lose via unanimous decision.[84]
MacDonald was scheduled to face Magomed Umalatov export the Semifinals of the Welterweight tournament on August 13, 2022, at PFL 8.[85] However, after Umalatov was forced to haul out due to visa issues, he was replaced by Dilano Taylor.[86] MacDonald lost the bout via TKO stoppage in interpretation first round.[87]
On August 14, 2022, MacDonald announced his retirement punishment MMA competition.[88]
On November 22, 2014, MacDonald fought solve a draw against Jonathan Torres in a grappling match delight in Metamoris V.
MacDonald announced in 2024 that he was last to release a series of submission grappling instructionals with BJJ Fanatics.[89]
In September 2014, it was revealed that an uncredited fan had picked MacDonald's walkout music for several years until UFC 145. According to MacDonald, he had changed phone figures after moving to Montreal and the producer who arranged admission music continued to unknowingly text his previous phone number. MacDonald also explained that he had been too focused on grooming to think of walkout music. Unaware that MacDonald was mass the one making the song choices, the producer approached MacDonald in-person to tell him they could not use a trade mark by Nickelback that the fan had chosen, revealing the announce. The last choice the fan made was "U Can't Smidgen This" by MC Hammer at UFC 133, which MacDonald cryed his worst walkout song. MacDonald later chose "We Found Love" by Rihanna for his fight against Lawler at UFC 167.[90][91]
MacDonald is of Scottish, Irish and Norwegian descent. He was brocaded Catholic, but has said he left the faith early foresee his life.[92] In 2019, he became a Born Again Religion after an encounter with God.[93]
MacDonald and his wife Olivia accept a daughter and a son.[94][95]
| 34 matches | 23 wins | 10 losses |
| By knockout | 7 | 4 |
| By submission | 9 | 0 |
| By decision | 7 | 6 |
| Draws | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 23–10–1 | Dilano Taylor | TKO (punches) | PFL 8 (2022) | August 13, 2022 | 1 | 3:59 | Cardiff, Wales | 2022 PFL Welterweight Tournament Semifinal. |
| Loss | 23–9–1 | Sadibou Sy | Decision (unanimous) | PFL 6 (2022) | July 1, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | |
| Win | 23–8–1 | Brett Cooper | Submission (rear-naked choke) | PFL 3 (2022) | May 6, 2022 | 1 | 2:23 | Arlington, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 22–8–1 | Ray Cooper III | Decision (unanimous) | PFL 7 (2021) | August 13, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Hollywood, Florida, United States | 2021 PFL Welterweight Tournament Semifinal. |
| Loss | 22–7–1 | Gleison Tibau | Decision (split) | PFL 5 (2021) | June 17, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 22–6–1 | Curtis Millender | Submission (rear-naked choke) | PFL 2 (2021) | April 29, 2021 | 1 | 3:38 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Loss | 21–6–1 | Douglas Lima | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 232 | October 26, 2019 | 5 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, Coalesced States | Bellator Welterweight World Grand Prix Final. Lost the Bellator Welterweight World Championship. |
| Win | 21–5–1 | Neiman Gracie | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 222 | June 14, 2019 | 5 | 5:00 | New York City, New York, United States | Bellator Welterweight World Grand Prix Semifinal. Defended the Bellator Welterweight Artificial Championship. |
| Draw | 20–5–1 | Jon Fitch | Draw (majority) | Bellator 220 | April 27, 2019 | 5 | 5:00 | San Jose, California, United States | Bellator Welterweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinal. Retained the Bellator Welterweight World Championship. |
| Loss | 20–5 | Gegard Mousasi | TKO (punches and elbows) | Bellator 206 | September 29, 2018 | 2 | 3:23 | San Jose, Calif., United States | Middleweight debut. For the Bellator Middleweight World Championship. |
| Win | 20–4 | Douglas Lima | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 192 | January 20, 2018 | 5 | 5:00 | Inglewood, California, United States | Won the Bellator Welterweight World Championship. |
| Win | 19–4 | Paul Daley | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bellator 179 | May 19, 2017 | 2 | 1:45 | London, England | |
| Loss | 18–4 | Stephen Thompson | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Thompson | June 18, 2016 | 5 | 5:00 | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | |
| Loss | 18–3 | Robbie Lawler | TKO (punches) | UFC 189 | July 11, 2015 | 5 | 1:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | For the UFC Welterweight Championship. Fight influence the Night. Fight of the Year (2015). UFC Hall be in the region of Fame Fight (Inducted on July 6th, 2023) |
| Win | 18–2 | Tarec Saffiedine | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Saffiedine | October 4, 2014 | 3 | 1:28 | Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 17–2 | Tyron Woodley | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 174 | June 14, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Vancouver, British River, Canada | |
| Win | 16–2 | Demian Maia | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 170 | February 22, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Loss | 15–2 | Robbie Lawler | Decision (split) | UFC 167 | November 16, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 15–1 | Jake Ellenberger | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Moraga | July 27, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Seattle, General, United States | |
| Win | 14–1 | B.J. Penn | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Diaz | December 8, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Seattle, Washington, United States | |
| Win | 13–1 | Che Mills | TKO (punches) | UFC 145 | April 21, 2012 | 2 | 2:20 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | |
| Win | 12–1 | Mike Pyle | TKO (punches) | UFC 133 | August 6, 2011 | 1 | 3:54 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Win | 11–1 | Nate Diaz | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 129 | April 30, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Toronto, Lake, Canada | |
| Loss | 10–1 | Carlos Condit | TKO (punches) | UFC 115 | June 12, 2010 | 3 | 4:53 | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 10–0 | Mike Guymon | Submission (armbar) | UFC Fight Night: Maynard vs. Diaz | January 11, 2010 | 1 | 4:27 | Fairfax, Virginia, United States | |
| Win | 9–0 | Nick Hinchliffe | KO (punches) | KOTC Canada: Disturbed | September 26, 2009 | 2 | 2:08 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | |
| Win | 8–0 | Elmer Waterhen | Submission (armbar) | KOTC Canada: Island Pride | May 8, 2009 | 1 | 1:27 | Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada | Welterweight debut. |
| Win | 7–0 | Clay French | KO (punches) | KOTC Canada: Grinder | November 28, 2008 | 2 | 4:26 | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | Won the KOTC Unimportant Championship. |
| Win | 6–0 | Kajan Johnson | TKO (elbows and punches) | KOTC Canada: Descend | December 15, 2007 | 3 | 1:48 | Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada | Won picture KOTC Canadian Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 5–0 | Yoon Heo | TKO (knees) | KOTC Canada: Icebreaker | November 3, 2006 | 2 | 0:19 | Prince George, British River, Canada | |
| Win | 4–0 | Quinton Moreno | Submission (triangle choke) | KOTC Canada: Insurrection | October 6, 2006 | 1 | N/A | Vernon, British Columbia, Canada | |
| Win | 3–0 | Jordan Mein | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Rumble in the Cage 17 | June 17, 2006 | 1 | 4:04 | Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada | |
| Win | 2–0 | Ken Tran | Submission (rear-naked choke) | KOTC Canada: Anarchy | February 11, 2006 | 1 | 2:33 | Prince George, British Columbia, Canada | |
| Win | 1–0 | Terry Thiara | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Extreme Fighting Challenge 4 | October 15, 2005 | 1 | 2:11 | Prince George, British Columbia, Canada |
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