Rory MacDonald

2022 - 8 - 14

Post cover — Image courtesy of "Overtime Heroics"

Rory MacDonald Retires After PFL 8 Loss (Overtime Heroics)

It appears that Canadian MMA star Rory MacDonald hung up his gloves at the age of 33.

MacDonald II. The Canadian legend finishes his career going 9-4 with the UFC, 3-2-1 under Bellator, and 2-4 in the PFL. The streak would earn MacDonald a title shot, and a shot to redeem a loss. He won his first two bouts with the new promotion, finishing Paul Daley, and taking the belt from Douglas Lima. Things appeared to be looking up for Rory, as he’d even attempt to become a double champion moving up to middleweight to challenge Gegard Mousasi. MacDonald had three more fights under the Bellator banner, ultimately losing his welterweight strap back to Douglas Lima in 2019. After winning five straight, MacDonald would run into the infamous brawler in Robbie Lawler. ‘Red King’ would drop the contest via split decision, in a hard fought war. Rory MacDonald began his pro MMA journey in 2005, where he quickly became a wrecking force on the regional scene. The bout was the main event of the evening, as both men were looking to advance to the finals in the welterweight bracket.

Rory MacDonald decides to retire as MMA fighter -- 'My time has come' (ESPN)

Rory MacDonald has decided to retire, announcing his decision less than 24 hours after suffering a TKO loss to Dilano Taylor in a 2022 PFL semifinals ...

Training alongside Georges St-Pierre at Tristar MMA in Montreal, MacDonald went 9-2 in his first 11 UFC appearances. MacDonald tried to become a two-weight champion in Bellator the following year in a middleweight title fight against Gegard Mousasi but lost via second-round TKO. MacDonald (23-10-1) made his professional MMA debut in 2005 and signed with UFC in 2010 at age 20.

'One of the best fighters ever': Twitter reacts to Rory MacDonald's ... (MMA Junkie)

Rory MacDonald was showered with support by fellow fighters and media after announcing his MMA retirement.

Rory MacDonald announces retirement after 2022 PFL Playoffs exit (MMA Fighting)

Former Bellator champion and longtime welterweight contender Rory MacDonald is retiring after a 17-year pro MMA career.

He successfully defended his belt twice before ceding it back to Lima in the finals of a grand prix tournament. Debuting in 2005, MacDonald quickly emerged as one of the hottest prospects in his native Canada, beginning his career 10-0. The passion for martial arts and becoming a pro MMA fighter gave me hope and a way to a better life!

Rory MacDonald Announces Retirement Following PFL Playoff Defeat (Sherdog.com)

Rory MacDonald has been fighting professionally since he was was a teenager, but it appears that “The Red King” has reached the end of the line.

So many painful trainings that are etched into my being, travelling to all parts of the planet and meeting so many people. And I’m so thankful to God for putting that gym Toshido MMA in Kelowna in my path. The passion for martial arts and becoming a pro MMA fighter gave me hope and a way to a better life!

Rory MacDonald retiring from MMA after PFL season exit (thescore.com)

UNCASVILLE, CT - OCTOBER 26: Rory MacDonald (red gloves) takes on Douglas. Former UFC title challenger and Bellator champion Rory MacDonald announced his ...

After submitting Paul Daley in his Bellator debut, MacDonald won the 170-pound title by beating Douglas Lima via unanimous decision. MacDonald defended his title twice in the Welterweight Grand Prix (a majority draw over Jon Fitch and a unanimous decision victory over Neiman Gracie) before dropping the belt in a finals rematch with Lima. MacDonald fought one more time in the UFC following his second loss to Lawler - a unanimous decision defeat to Stephen Thompson - before moving over to Bellator in 2017 with a plan to win both the welterweight and middleweight titles.

Canadian MMA star Rory MacDonald retires after latest PFL loss (POST Wrestling)

After his latest loss for the PFL, Canadian star Rory MacDonald has retired from the sport.

While it was a tough loss for the Canadian, his success against a proven commodity in Condit was an impressive feat. In 2010, he joined the UFC and submitted Mike Guymon but it was his first career loss that opened a lot of eyes to his upward limit. The loss to Lawler sent MacDonald back in line at welterweight and earned his way back to the front with his strongest stretch of wins against Demian Maia, Tyron Woodley, and Tarec Saffiedine and set up a rematch with Lawler for UFC 189 in July 2015.