Former UFC middleweight Rory MacDonald has signed with Bellator according to FloCombat. MacDonald’s last fight in the UFC was a June Fight Night loss to Stephen Thompson.
Regardless of the outcome of the last fight on his contract, MacDonald wanted to test the free agency market per multiple reports. According to MMA Fighting, the UFC did not match the offer by Bellator and allowed MacDonald to head to the Viacom-owned Bellator.
Per MMA Fighting, he is eyeing a Bellator debut in the first quarter of 2017.
Payout Perspective:
MacDonald’s last official disclosed payout was $59,000 at UFC 189 which was a loss to Robbie Lawler. One would think that he improved greatly on his salary otherwise one would think that the UFC would match it. MacDonald will find some interesting opponents in the Bellator middleweight division as he joins Benson Henderson as another former UFC fighter joining the organization. At 27, he is still young although you might say that the Lawler fight really took a lot out of him. He should be able to ascend to the top of the division sooner than later.
This is a big mistake IMO by the UFC. Rory is the number 2 ranked WelterWeight in the UFC. He has beat the current WW Champion Woodley, won FOTY against Lawler which created a lot of buzz around his name. Whopped Nate Diaz ass when they fought. This move will also upset a lot of current UFC fighters and perhaps make them look elsewhere once contract negotiations start.
Jason, Rory doesn’t fight in the Middle Weight division, that being said who do you think will be “some interesting opponent” for him? Other than the Current Bellator WW Champ who is a good matchup for him? Most of the fighters in the WW division Rory will walk right over.