MONTREAL – Fighter Rory MacDonald has called Montreal his home ever since he experienced he first loss in professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) back in 2010.
The 25-year-old British Columbia native left his hometown of Quesnel to join a gym in Kelowna, B.C before Tristar gym, home of former long-time UFC welterweight champion George St-Pierre.
With the help of elite sparring partners and head trainer Firas Zahabi, MacDonald has already made a name for himself in the MMA community.
Saturday, July 11, he’ll travel to the fighting capital of the world, Las Vegas, Nevada to take part in UFC 189, this year’s biggest mixed martial arts event to date.
The MGM Grand Garden arena will play host to the 11-fight card, including two world title championship bouts.
Irish superstar Conor McGregor will headline the event as he faces off against fellow top contender Chad Mendes for the interim featherweight (145lbs) championship.
MacDonald will fight current champion Robbie Lawler in the UFC welterweight (170 lbs) as the co-main event.
It’ll be MacDonald’s first opportunity at championship gold – and to realize his dream of becoming the best 170 lbs fighter on the planet.
Here are 5 things you need to know about Rory Macdonald:
Robbie Lawler
MacDonald’s only loss in his past nine fights was to Robbie Lawler back in 2013.
UFC 189 will be his first ever career rematch; the bout is scheduled for five 5 minute rounds since it is a title fight.
Reebok
MacDonald is the latest UFC fighter to reach an individual sponsorship agreement with Reebok.
He’s working with the company to create a custom walkout shirt and other items that reflect what he calls his personal brand.
The only other Canadian fighter to have such an exclusive deal is lightweight prospect Olivier Aubin-Mercier.
Winning streak
MacDonald is currently riding a three fight winning streak and coming off a spectacular third round knockout against top-ten opponent Tarec Saffiedine, who had previously never been finished inside the distance.
That event, UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Saffiedine, took place in Halifax on October 4.
It was the first time MacDonald headlined a UFC event.
Big bonuses
MacDonald has earned $50,000 nightly bonuses three times in his 11-fight UFC career.
He was given a performance of the night award after his victory against Saffiedine.
He also received two other fight of the night bonuses for bouts against Carlos Condit and Demian Maia.
Montreal love
MacDonald has yet to showcase his skills in front of a Montreal crowd.
He was initially scheduled to fight at UFC 186 back in April at the Bell Centre, but the fight fell through and he has been rescheduled to compete for the world title Saturday night.
If he wins the belt, Montreal will be able to boast that it has helped create another great UFC superstar.
“I came to Montreal to seek greatness,” said MacDonald.
UFC 189 airs on Pay-Per-View this Saturday night at 10 p.m. or on Youtube and the official UFC website.
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