Top 5 Rory MacDonald UFC fights
Former UFC title challenger Rory MacDonald was unsuccessful in his latest attempt at winning the $1 million PFL welterweight tournament. After losing to last-minute replacement Dilano Taylor in the semi-finals, he left his gloves on the canvas and left the cage. It has now been confirmed that he has officially retired from MMA.
It is astonishing that the 'Red King' began fighting professionally at age 16. MacDonald has fought many legends and past champions including B.J. Penn, Tyron Woodley, Robbie Lawler, and Paul Daley.
During his career, 'Red King' also won championships in both King of the Cage (KOTC) and Bellator. He defeated Douglas Lima via unanimous decision to become Bellator welterweight champion in his second bout in the promotion. He then had two successful title defenses.
After a 17-year long MMA career, he felt the time was right to retire at 33. He had many memorable moments inside the octagon, his battle against Robbie Lawler remains one of the greatest fights ever in the history of the UFC. This list will look back at the top five Rory MacDonald UFC fights.
#5. MacDonald vs. Tarec Saffiedine - UFC Fight Night 54
Oct4.2014
Rory MacDonald finishes Tarec Saffiedine with a combination of strikes,
then proceeds to beat his chest like a gorilla https://t.co/1rcZG2nenS
The 2010s saw the UFC expand their presence in Canada. They traditionally hosted their Canadian events in Montreal and Toronto as they were the larger markets, but that changed during the decade. In 2011, the promotion hosted their first Fight Night event in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The main event saw Tarec Saffiedine taking on Canada's own Rory MacDonald.
MacDonald came into the fight riding a two-fight winning streak that included wins against Demian Maia and Tyron Woodley. He did well utilizing his precise striking throughout the fight. He didn't throw with reckless abandon, but instead threw volume strikes that found their mark.
In the third round, 'Red King' dropped 'Sponge' with a left uppercut and finished him with strikes. The win not only earned MacDonald a 'Performance of the Night' bonus, but it also earned him a welterweight title shot against Robbie Lawler.