Bellator MMA lands free-agent welterweight Rory MacDonald
Bellator MMA has landed another high-profile free agent from the UFC.
On the same night former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson is scheduled to make his second appearance in the organization, Bellator officially announced the signing of welterweight star Rory MacDonald during a broadcast on Spike TV.
“There’s many reasons (I signed with Bellator),” MacDonald said. “Straight up though, Bellator gave me an offer nobody in the world can match.”
The UFC waived its right to match the offer. MacDonald went 9-4 during his six years with the organization, dropping his last two fights.
After losing a title bout to Robbie Lawler in July 2015, MacDonald returned to lose a unanimous decision to top contender Stephen Thompson in the last fight on his contract in July.
“(Bellator) believes in me and I’m here to put on a show for you guys,” the 27-year-old Canadian said.
He plans to get right to work for his new employer.
“I’m taking over,” MacDonald said. “I’m the king of this division. I’m going after (Andrey) Koreshkov because he’s got the belt. After that, I’m going after (the middleweight title), too.”
Henderson and MacDonald join fellow UFC standouts Phil Davis and Matt Mitrione among fighters who have signed free-agent deals with Bellator.
Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow @adamhilllvrj on Twitter.
