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After UFC release, Michael McDonald signs with Bellator

March 24, 2017 by Jason Cruz 12 Comments

ESPN reports that Michael McDonald has signed with Bellator.  The Bantamweight was granted his release from the UFC despite having fights left on his contract.  He stated that he felt like he could trust the UFC’s motives.

In an interview with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto earlier this week, he detailed the reasons why he turned down a fight with the UFC.  He has been outspoken about not going into debt to train for a fight.  He stated he needed $10,000 to put on a training camp.

In the interview with Okamoto, McDonald stated that he was making more money woodworking than fighting.  McDonald made approximately $53,000 from his last fight in July 2016.  McDonald stated that he talked to the UFC’s Sean Shelby as to why he could not take a fight.  The negotiations were prolonged and Sean Shelby offered McDonald $10,000 more for win and show (so $20,000 total assuming a win) than his current contract but he’d have to take a fight within two months.  If he could not do so, his salary remained the same.  McDonald, who had not been training, stated that he could not take the fight at that point so there was no real help being given to Mayday.  He eventually received his release.

McDonald now goes to Bellator where you’d think he’ll be a part of the June 2014 card in New York.

Payout Perspective:

The release and immediate signing shows that Bellator is taking advantage of the UFC letting fighters walk or not matching their contracts once they become free agents.  McDonald is only 26 and with a 17-4 pro record can still be heading into his prime as a fighter.  You have to think that McDonald is getting more money to head to Bellator which is good news for the fighter since it sounded like he was just getting by with work.  Certainly, for a fighter, maximizing his earning potential for the short time that you are in the business is important.

Filed Under: Bellator, UFC

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. TOPS E says

    March 24, 2017 at 4:46 pm

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Cck6CT2lZG0. Racism in the ufc?

    Reply
  2. Wil says

    March 24, 2017 at 6:33 pm

    TOPS E, I don’t know if “racism” is the exact right word…one of the commenters said it best, the vast majority of UFC and mma fans in the USA are white…Diaz nailed it, most white fans want to see white people winning. Without a doubt if all ufc champions became black, I really don’t think the UFC would be as popular was it is. Dana White knows this…..Rousey, Liddell, Van Zant, McGregor, Northcutt,…etc…that’s who is pushed by the UFC. If Rockhold put together a string of wins over a year or two, he would be the biggest star in mma because of how he looks. No black fighter will be pushed like that because black America largely doesn’t care about mma. Hockey, nascar, tennis, golf, etc are popular with a certain demographic, that’s who they are marketed to.

    Reply
  3. d says

    March 24, 2017 at 7:48 pm

    “.Rousey, Liddell, Van Zant, McGregor, Northcutt,…etc…that’s who is pushed by the UFC”

    Kevin Randleman, Tito Ortiz, Anderson Silva, Cain Velasquez, BJ Penn, Nick Diaz, plus Jon Jones & Quinton Jackson- two guys who both hit pregnant women in hit and runs, yet the UFC defended them to the death. Looks like a bunch of white guys to me. Haha.

    What you don’t realize because you don’t know much about mma or sports, is that white fans loved guys like Quinton Jackson and Anderson Silva. Go read a comment section revolving around Anderson Silva. Most people defend him to the death regardless of what he does or if he loses, etc. Who do you think watches the NFL and NBA mostly? Do you think their fans are predominantly blacks or minorities? Hell no! They are white!

    Absurd.

    Reply
  4. d says

    March 24, 2017 at 7:51 pm

    Probably a good idea for Bellator to sign some of these named UFC fighters. MacDonald was their best signing. Also depends on how much money they are getting. Mitrione was overpaid and was a mistake to even sign because he stinks and is an idiot. But most like Rory, Davis, Bader, etc were good signings.

    Reply
  5. d says

    March 24, 2017 at 7:51 pm

    Probably a good idea for Bellator to sign some of these named UFC fighters. MacDonald was their best signing. Also depends on how much money they are getting. Mitrione was overpaid and was a mistake to even sign because he stinks and is not bright. But most like Rory, Davis, Bader, etc were good signings.

    Reply
  6. Wil says

    March 24, 2017 at 10:46 pm

    Hanson’s back!

    Reply
  7. Wil says

    March 24, 2017 at 10:50 pm

    by the way, whatever makes you feel good about yourself hanson!

    Reply
  8. d says

    March 25, 2017 at 7:18 pm

    Nothing new, Wil responding to damning evidence proving him wrong with some lame joke. Haha.

    Reply
  9. Thompson says

    March 25, 2017 at 7:46 pm

    You’re on the right track Wil.

    Reply
  10. Wil says

    March 26, 2017 at 9:02 am

    “proving him wrong”….ok Hanson, lol. Your opinion doesnt carry that sort of weight Hanson.
    Thompson, you know it.

    Reply
  11. d says

    March 26, 2017 at 7:19 pm

    I’m not the only one who’s disagreed with you on this subject here. I recall Diego pointing out the same thing to you, yet you refuse to accept the reality of the situation because you are a low informed, turd.

    Reply
  12. Wil says

    March 29, 2017 at 11:08 am

    Calm down there Hanson…..you get too worked up over the internet. Diego can have whatever views he likes….but I bet he wont claim it as “fact”….only a mental patient sees himself that way Mr. Hanson.

    Reply

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