Wife says Rory MacDonald retiring from MMA after 2022 PFL season exit

Rory MacDonald has made the decision to retire from MMA competition after being finished in the opening round for the first time in his career at 2022 PFL Playoffs 2.

MacDonald (23-10-1), a former Bellator welterweight champion and UFC title challenger, suffered his fourth loss in his past five fights on Saturday when he was knocked out by Dilano Taylor less than four minutes into their semifinal playoff bout at Cardiff Motorpoint Arena in Wales.

According to MacDonald’s wife, Olivia, he had made the decision to retire (via Instagram stories):

“So many emotions tonight. I ask that you be kind with your words. It’s been a wonderful journey to watch this man fight. Rory has hung up the gloves and very much at peace with it.”

It’s a decision that has likely been brewing for some time. MacDonald said several years ago was starting to have internal conflicts about his participation in the sport, especially in terms of dishing out damage to opponents.

The results have slowly but surely taken a turn for the worse since then. MacDonald has gone 3-5 over the past three years.

Despite being just 33, MacDonald has endured a long and grueling run in the sport. He made his professional debut in October 2005 as a 16-year-old and went 10-0 to start his career.

The Canadian got the call to the UFC in January 2010, and after winning his debut, pushed former interim UFC champ Carlos Condit to the brink in his sophomore octagon appearance.

From there, MacDonald racked up notable victories over the likes of Nate Diaz, B.J. Penn, Demian Maia and Tyron Woodley inside the octagon.

The turning point, however, was MacDonald’s Fight of the Year loss to Robbie Lawler in their title bout at UFC 189 in July 2015. He took much damage in the bout and never seemed to be the same as he was before it.

After making his UFC exit, MacDonald signed with Bellator and made his debut in May 2017. He won the promotion’s welterweight title against Douglas Lima, but later lost it in a rematch.

MacDonald then signed with PFL, where he went 2-4 with wins against Brett Cooper and Curtis Millender. He lost in the welterweight playoff semifinals in 2021 and 2022.