HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Rory MacDonald got what he wanted with PFL.
The former Bellator champion and UFC contender was looking to put in a higher output of fights and increase his career activity when he switched over from Bellator to PFL in late 2019.
Competing for the first time in the PFL welterweight season, MacDonald (22–7–1) has already fought twice since late April and is about to log his third fight when he takes on Ray Cooper III in a semifinal bout that headlines Friday’s PFL Playoff event.
MacDonald admits it hasn’t been easy to keep up with the PFL season format schedule.
“I believe the total is four fights in eight months for the tournament,” MacDonald told MMA Junkie. “So it’s a pretty grueling tournament and you have to stay healthy in four training camps back-to-back for fights with some of the best guys in the world, especially the welterweight division. There’s not one easy fight in this division. It’s been going well for me, thank the Lord. He’s kept me strong and healthy and I’m feeling good.”
MacDonald said it’s been non-stop training for him since the kickoff of the 2021 PFL welterweight season. It’s changed his lifestyle, as he’s no longer sitting around waiting for a call to fight.
“There’s good and bad with both (formats),” MacDonald said. “I’m taking it in stride because, you know, I’ve had a career with a lot of long layoffs. I’ve never really enjoyed that, but when you do the polar opposite, and you sign with PFL, and you have fight, after fight, after fight – it tests you, it’s not easy. It’s a grind, but it’s good. That’s what I asked for and I’ve been enjoying it.”
As far as the actual matchup against Cooper III, MacDonald feels he’s having his toughest test in his run with PFL. Cooper III is the 2019 PFL welterweight champion and remains unbeaten in his past five bouts.
“Ray is definitely, if not the best, one of the best,” MacDonald said. “He’s a former champion and he fights hard. The guy brings it every time so I have to be ready.”
Rory MacDonald enjoying PFL’s grueling, active format: ‘It tests you, it’s not easy’