Rory MacDonald: 'I'm here to finish everyone, and that's what I plan to do'
Rory MacDonald's move to the PFL in 2021 didn't go the way he had planned it, but he's got redemption on his mind this year.
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ARLINGTON, Texas – Rory MacDonald’s move to the PFL in 2021 didn’t go the way he had planned it, but he’s got redemption on his mind this year.
In 2021, after making the move from Bellator, where he had been a welterweight champion, MacDonald started out strong with a first-round submission of Curtis Millender. But he dropped a split decision to Gleison Tibau in his second regular season fight, then lost a decision to eventual two-time champ Ray Cooper III in the playoff semifinals.
On Friday, MacDonald (23-8-1) again started out a season strong with a quick first-round finish of Brett Cooper (28-16) with a rear-naked choke at the PFL’s third regular season event in Arlington, Texas.
MacDonald said he’s reenergized after a move from Sanford MMA in South Florida to train with former UFC and Strikeforce fighter Tim Kennedy.
“I’ve definitely lost interest in fighting (in the past),” MacDonald said in his post-fight news conference in Arlington, Texas. “There have been a few times when I’ve questioned myself and my time in this sport. But I just didn’t feel like it was quite the time to give up. I’m happy I didn’t, because I feel (now) like I’m the best I’ve ever been.”
MacDonald said even though his 6-point first-round finish has him atop the welterweight standings, and Cooper III has a near-impossible task to make the playoffs thanks to missing weight and an automatic -1 point, he’s not focused on the standings.
If he goes into his second regular season fight the same way he did Friday, the results should come, he figures.
“I’m just going to take every single fight that I have as a championship fight,” MacDonald said. “I’m not taking anyone lightly. I’m here to finish everyone, and that’s what I plan to do. I’m not too worried about points. I’m just looking to have dominant victories and show my best.
“Everybody looked good. I feel confident going into every one of them, though. I feel like I’m the best top dog in this division. I’m going to go in there and prove it against everyone.”
Check out MacDonald’s full post-fight interview in the video above.