After out-striking Tarec Saffiedine (15-4) at UFN 54 over the weekend in the first two rounds and then winning the fight in the third by knockout due to an uppercut and punches, Rory MacDonald (18-2) became the first man ever to finish the former STRIKEFORCE champion in his MMA career. MacDonald’s time for the welterweight strap is clearly now, but unfortunately it will have to wait after December 6, 2014.
With three straight wins over top ranked fighters like Tyron Woodley and Damian Mia, the Canadian who trains alongside retired champion Georges St-Pierre at Tristar Gym under head coach Firas Zahabi is presumed next in line for a welterweight title shot after the championship fight between Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler.
Macdonald has one goal in mind, to bring the strap back to Canada and it doesn’t matter to him who he fights next. At the UFN 54 post-fight presser, MacDonald said, “I just want to fight the best man, so, whoever.”
In addition, when asked about picking a winner at UFC 181, he didn’t have a preference either.
I don’t know, they’re both really good guys, they had a really close fight in the last one and Johny pulled it out in the last minute, the last round, so who knows? He’s going to bring it. I just hope they put on a good fight again and may the best man win.
MacDonald has been fighting in the UFC since 2010, to date he has earned himself two Fight of the Night bonuses and one Performance of the Night.
