Rory MacDonald says Bellator ‘interest in me kinda died’ as reason why he signed with PFL
Rory MacDonald shockingly left Bellator on Wednesday as he signed with the Professional Fighters League. Many assumed after the Canadian lost his belt to Douglas Lima a trilogy would happen. Even MacDonald said that is what he wanted.
Yet, during free agency, he felt Bellator lost interest in him as to why he signed with PFL.
“From when I first signed with Bellator, it seemed like they wanted to use me to be a marquee guy for them,” MacDonald said on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show Podcast. “It just seemed like their interest in me kinda died over the years. I’m not sure or their goals changed. I’m not really too sure why it didn’t happen on their end. I haven’t heard too much from them, to be honest.”
Whether or not that is true is unknown. But, MacDonald said this is the most lucrative deal he has ever signed in his career.
If he wins the tournament, he also wins $1 million which MacDonald is excited about.
“I’m excited to join the PFL where every year the world championship and $1 million belt is there for the best fighter, without any games or politics,” said MacDonald in a statement released by PFL. “I believe in the PFL’s sport-season format and fighter-first commitment. I can’t wait to show all the fans and the ESPN audience what I can do. While looking to add the PFL Welterweight World Championship title to my fight legacy.”
Rory MacDonald is heading into the 2020 PFL season on a bit of a losing skid as he is just 1-2-1 in his last four fights. Although he was the welterweight champion he only defended the strap once and also fought and lost for the middleweight title.
The Canadian should probably be the favorite to win the entire welterweight tournament as of right now. But, PFL could still sign more top-level welterweights.
