Rory MacDonald has decided to step away from mixed martial arts after a crushing loss in the PFL Playoffs last weekend.
MacDonald announced his decision on Instagram following a first-round TKO defeat in the million-dollar tournament semifinals to late notice replacement, 25-year-old Dilano Taylor (9-2). This loss left ‘The Red King’ with just one win in his previous five fights.
“My time has come to put the gloves down for good,” MacDonald wrote. “im so thankful for this sport and every person ive been able to meet along the way.”
“I started this sport as a 14 yr old kid, I still remember my first day and knowing this is what I wanna spend my life doing. the passion for martial arts and becoming a pro-MMA fighter gave me hope and a way to a better life! and I’m so thankful to god for putting that gym Toshido MMA in Kelowna in my path. it truly changed the direction of my life and saved me!” He added, before going on to thank the UFC, Bellator, PFL, and his fans for their support during his 17-year career.”
The AllStar MMA roundup
- UFC 278: Sean Woodson claims Luis Saldaña ‘doesn’t like dealing with pressure’
- UFC 278: Yanan Wu feeling “peaceful” ahead of Lucie Pudilova fight, plans diverse striking attack
- UFC 278: It’s hard for Jay Perrin to feel threatened by Aoriqileng when ‘he’s been sat down by flyweights’
The best of the rest
- B.J. Penn garners less than 25 percent of vote in Hawaii primary election loss for Republican governor – MMAFighting.com
- Marlon Vera: Dominick Cruz’s signature approach ‘very low level’ and ‘not the best style for MMA’ – MMAFighting.com
- Paddy Pimblett reveals he’s around 200 pounds, targets December return in Las Vegas – MMAjunkie.com
- Anthony Smith explains why he’s not buying the hype around Bo Nickal: “He wasn’t good enough to make an Olympic team” – BJPenn.com
- Tyson Pedro reveals incredible life story on eve of UFC 278 – DailyTelegraph.com.au
The soapbox
Chito Vera reacts to UFC San Diego record numbers:
Triple C isn’t impressed:
David Obama reacts to his co-main event loss:
Teofimo Lopez offers congratulations to Chito Vera:
Gilbert Burns thanks Rory MacDonald for the violence:
Ben Askren and Damien Brown reflect on the Red King’s career:
Terrance McKinney and Eric Nicksick on UFC performance bonuses:
Kevin Holland teases a fight announcement?:
Bobby Green wants Paddy Pimblett:
‘Sugar’ Sean at work, apparently:
The morning view
The Weasle gives an autopsy of UFC San Diego’s main event:
Jiri Prochazka and the things he can’t live without:
MMA On Point spotlight’s the most unintentionally hilarious MMA fighters:
Done deals
This week
- Tim Means to fight Max Griffin at UFC event on October 29th (per Farah Hannoun)
- Charles Jourdain to fight Nathaniel Wood at UFC Paris on September 3rd (per Al Zullino)
- Tresean Gore to fight Josh Fremd at UFC event on October 29th (per Mike Heck)
On this day in MMA…
On the 15th of August, 2020, Marlon Vera handed Sean O’Malley his very first professional loss at UFC 252.
‘Chito’ would stop O’Malley at 4:40 of the first round after damaging ‘Sugar Sean’s leg with low kicks that dropped him to the floor, and finished him with elbows from top position.
O’Malley refuses to acknowledge the defeat as a loss, and insists it was a ‘fluke’ on Vera’s behalf.
Here’s the always level-headed MMA Analyst ‘The Weasle’s’ take on the infamous incident.