Rory MacDonald Leaves Bellator MMA, Signs Deal With PFL
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| Photo Credit: Lucas Noonan Rory MacDonald will traverse pastures new come the beginning of 2020. |
Former Bellator welterweight champion, Rory 'The Red King' MacDonald has signed a multi-fight deal with Washington D.C. based promotion, Professional Fighters League, ending his six fight stint with Scott Coker's Bellator MMA. The Tristar mainstay is expected to sign a five fight deal with the organization, which will see him enter the welterweight ranks, compete for the division title and $1million grand prize during the promotion's 2020 season. News of the deal was first reported by ESPN staff writer, Ariel Helwani.
MacDonald, who turns 31-year's-old next summer, recently dropped the welterweight title in a rematch with striker, Douglas Lima, having first claimed gold for the promotion in his opening tie with the Brazilian at Bellator 192. The Canadian joined the organization back in 2017, having spent seven years with the UFC. In his final Octagon appearance, MacDonald lost via a unanimous decision to Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson which subsequently proved to be a title eliminator.
With fourteen finishes to his name, MacDonald made good on his Bellator call early, picking up a rear-naked choke win over Paul Daley, before his title tilt against Lima. MacDonald then tested middleweight waters, against Gegard Mousasi but was convincingly finished by the decorated Dutch kickboxer as he attempted to become a two-weight world champion. Successful defenses of his welterweight crown followed, as Jon Fitch could only manage a majority decision draw, before Neiman Gracie dropped a unanimous decision defeat last June.
MacDonald certainly stands out as a major signing for PFL, joining a welterweight roster which house's the likes of former UFC veteran, Rick Story, impressive grappler, Jack Shields, and the highly-touted, Magomed Kerimov.
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