Rory MacDonald: The Red King Talks War and Investment Banking
Rory MacDonald: The Red King Talks War and Investment Banking
Rory MacDonald looks back on his battle with Lawler and forward to his high-stakes bout against Stephen Thompson
Rory MacDonald is a complex individual.
The 26-year-old welterweight contender has been captivating fans and media alike since his arrival to the UFC back in 2010. The contrast between MacDonald’s aggression inside the Octagon and his reserved nature outside of fighting have made him an enigma of sorts on the MMA landscape.
While some find MacDonald’s measured presentation awkward and off-putting, others see appeal in the juxtaposition. Yet, no matter what the lingering opinion of his interview skills may be, there’s no denying the former title challenger is a force inside the cage.
Nowhere was MacDonald’s moxie on greater display than his most recent bout against Robbie Lawler at UFC 189 last July. The reigning champion and the upstart contender engaged in a five-round war that pushed both men to their limits, and created MMA folklore in the process.
Although MacDonald’s body would give out on him in the early stages of the final frame, it was the type of performance future generations will look back and appreciate. Despite the disappointment, MacDonald wasted no time in finding lessons to be learned in the aftermath.
“It had a big effect on me afterwards.” MacDonald said. “I reflected on many things. I had so many different emotions after the fight and even now to this day. It changed my outlook on some things, and I think it was good in the long run. It was motivating to get back in the gym. I felt very strong coming out of that fight.”
MacDonald may have been turned back in his attempt to capture welterweight gold, his elite status in the 170-pound ranks ensures he’s always in range of another title opportunity. His upcoming bout against Stephen Thompson in the main event at UFC Fight Night 89 will be yet another crucial turn, but it will also serve as a crossroads of sorts for MacDonald.
The bout against Thompson on Saturday night will be the final fight on MacDonald’s contract, and he’s well aware of just how high the stakes are.
“This is right up there with any of the fights I’ve had,” MacDonald said. “It’s really important for my career. Every fight is but this one is right up there. If I stay with the UFC after this fight and if I get the win this weekend, I see a title shot, for sure.”
While MacDonald’s profile demands focus on the here and now, his overall journey is unlike the majority of his peers in the sport. The British Columbia native was just 14 years old when he got his start in martial arts, and moved to professional MMA just five years later.
MacDonald’s success has been created by an intense drive and sharp focus, but it was a chance selection at a local video store that changed everything.
“We used to go rent UFC 1, 2, 3 and more on VHS,” MacDonald said. “I remember being at the video store and being disappointed because I wanted to watch the WWF events. I liked pro wrestling. When we got home and put on the UFC and I was like ‘No way. This is crazy.
“I had never seen anything like that before. It was very eye opening as a little kid. I loved it. I had seen boxing but I had never seen anybody fight on the ground before, punching and kicking. It was insane. It was very cool for me. I have never forgotten that.
“I knew at that age that this was what I would be doing,” he added. “When I wasn’t into fighting I was doing odd jobs and hard working jobs. Hopefully I wouldn’t be doing that because I didn’t enjoy it. My focus has been on Mixed Martial Arts since I was really young. Now as I have grown up, I really like investing and things like that. That is cool to me.”
The 26-year-old welterweight contender has been captivating fans and media alike since his arrival to the UFC back in 2010. The contrast between MacDonald’s aggression inside the Octagon and his reserved nature outside of fighting have made him an enigma of sorts on the MMA landscape.
While some find MacDonald’s measured presentation awkward and off-putting, others see appeal in the juxtaposition. Yet, no matter what the lingering opinion of his interview skills may be, there’s no denying the former title challenger is a force inside the cage.
Nowhere was MacDonald’s moxie on greater display than his most recent bout against Robbie Lawler at UFC 189 last July. The reigning champion and the upstart contender engaged in a five-round war that pushed both men to their limits, and created MMA folklore in the process.
Although MacDonald’s body would give out on him in the early stages of the final frame, it was the type of performance future generations will look back and appreciate. Despite the disappointment, MacDonald wasted no time in finding lessons to be learned in the aftermath.
“It had a big effect on me afterwards.” MacDonald said. “I reflected on many things. I had so many different emotions after the fight and even now to this day. It changed my outlook on some things, and I think it was good in the long run. It was motivating to get back in the gym. I felt very strong coming out of that fight.”
MacDonald may have been turned back in his attempt to capture welterweight gold, his elite status in the 170-pound ranks ensures he’s always in range of another title opportunity. His upcoming bout against Stephen Thompson in the main event at UFC Fight Night 89 will be yet another crucial turn, but it will also serve as a crossroads of sorts for MacDonald.
The bout against Thompson on Saturday night will be the final fight on MacDonald’s contract, and he’s well aware of just how high the stakes are.
“This is right up there with any of the fights I’ve had,” MacDonald said. “It’s really important for my career. Every fight is but this one is right up there. If I stay with the UFC after this fight and if I get the win this weekend, I see a title shot, for sure.”
While MacDonald’s profile demands focus on the here and now, his overall journey is unlike the majority of his peers in the sport. The British Columbia native was just 14 years old when he got his start in martial arts, and moved to professional MMA just five years later.
MacDonald’s success has been created by an intense drive and sharp focus, but it was a chance selection at a local video store that changed everything.
“We used to go rent UFC 1, 2, 3 and more on VHS,” MacDonald said. “I remember being at the video store and being disappointed because I wanted to watch the WWF events. I liked pro wrestling. When we got home and put on the UFC and I was like ‘No way. This is crazy.
“I had never seen anything like that before. It was very eye opening as a little kid. I loved it. I had seen boxing but I had never seen anybody fight on the ground before, punching and kicking. It was insane. It was very cool for me. I have never forgotten that.
“I knew at that age that this was what I would be doing,” he added. “When I wasn’t into fighting I was doing odd jobs and hard working jobs. Hopefully I wouldn’t be doing that because I didn’t enjoy it. My focus has been on Mixed Martial Arts since I was really young. Now as I have grown up, I really like investing and things like that. That is cool to me.”