Rory MacDonald’s Bellator Contract Just Expired, So What’s Next?

Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images

The former UFC fighter signed with Bellator back in 2016 in what was considered a pretty big coup for the Viacom promotion. Many wondered if it was just the first of many defections to come, but that was not to be. Gegard Mousasi followed a year later, but past that Bellator continues to rely mostly on largely unsung homegrown talent.

These guys are no slouches, but they rarely get their due in today’s UFC dominated MMA landscape. So when Douglas Lima ended up working over Rory Mac across five rounds at Bellator 232 (highlights here), a lot of casuals made it more about MacDonald’s post-UFC decline rather than Lima’s brilliance.

Some blame Robbie Lawler for stealing chunks of MacDonald’s soul in their two violent encounters. Others think it was Rory giving his soul to Jesus that mellowed the “Canadian Psycho” out. That suggestion even came up during the post-fight press conference.

“I think they have a bad perspective on it,” MacDonald said. “I feel like Jesus has made my life rich and changed my life around completely from a dark place to a place of joy, peace. Now I have purpose and fulfillment in my heart. So I just don’t think they are looking at the right perspective.”

“Most times after a loss I probably wouldn’t be talking with you. But I’m blessed and I know God has good things in store for me. Losing one fight doesn’t change my faith or perspective on God. I know he has good plans for me and like my song says, I’m going to see a victory no matter what.”

MacDonald seemed genuinely surprised when Lima was handed a pretty lopsided 50-49, 50-49, 49-46 decision win. By the time he talked to the press he’d accepted the loss but perhaps not the level of dominance Lima exerted on him.

“I had good moments,” Rory said. “It was close every single round. What I feel I should have done is put the gas on a little more. I felt like when I had good moments, I backed off, let him recover. I just gave too much leeway instead of having that gas pedal on a little earlier. I felt comfortable with where I was in the fight. I felt confident, maybe more confident than I should have been in the scoring. The rounds just got away from me. Every round was tight though. I’m not too down about it. Just obviously wish I could have done a little more during the fight.”

MacDonald is now 1-2-1 over his last four bouts. Just over twelve months ago he was angling to become a Bellator double champ. But Gegard Mousasi TKO’d him in their middleweight title fight and now Lima has taken the welterweight belt back. To make things more interesting, MacDonald’s contract with Bellator is up. His prospects and potential have never been in bigger question.

”My contract expired so we’ve got to deal with that situation,” he said. “But if they want to give me a title shot, sure.”

We don’t think Bellator is going to be offering Rory a title shot with his new contract offer.