Rory MacDonald Discusses His Upcoming Bellator Title Bout

MMAjunkie recently interviewed Bellator MMA fighter Rory MacDonald, who discussed his upcoming planned welterweight title bout with champion Douglas Lima. Below are some highlights.

MacDonald will face Lima for the Bellator welterweight title on January 20, 2018 at The Forum in Los Angeles, California. The card will be broadcast live on Spike TV.

Rory MacDonald’s thoughts on the match-up: “I do believe that, in the transitions, that these more skilled and more well rounded guys present, I think that’s where I’m going to shine. And have my exciting moments that really give the fan an eye-opening experience, like ‘OK, this is the level of difference of the top guy and the guy just underneath.’ … I don’t say all of them, but I would say the majority (of fans) think that this guy is going to get squashed. I do think that it’s going to be a lot more competitive than the Paul Daley Fight. But, on the same note, I do believe his skillset is going to only delay what’s going to happen. I’m confident that I’m going to put him away.”

Rory MacDonald’s thoughts on lessons to take from Lima’s history: “I think it gives me a sense of what kind of fighter Lima is. I think he’s better than those guys, absolutely. But I don’t think he likes to be pushed out of his comfort zone. I don’t think he likes to take risks. I think he likes to sit back, win fights, and I think he’s a little bit scared, in that sense, when the time comes. I think he gets a little bit stressed out and doesn’t want to take that risk. I’ve been there, I know that feeling. So I guess I know how to expose it. And I see it. I see in his eyes. I see it in his performances. That’s why I’m pretty confident I know what’s going to happen the night of the fight.”

Rory MacDonald on what he learned from his fight with Robbie Lawler: “The fight with Lawler gave me a lot of comfort and confidence in fighting in a cage. I’ve kind of been through that worst-case scenario, so to speak. And once you go through that, it’s kind of like swimming in the deep-end of the pool and finally realizing what it’s about. So I’m pretty relaxed when it comes to stepping into the cage now. It’s not that stressful. It is a stressful situation. The fights can get intense and get away from me still, I guess. But I guess a new level of confidence and comfort came over me in that fight. And stressful situations like titles an attention and cameras and light and people. That stuff kind of – it’s become easier for me to deal with. Because I’ve been through it. I’ve been there. It’s not unexpected. It’s not unknown anymore. I know what it’s about.”