Though he was operating the understanding that he’d be next in line for a title shot, welterweight contender Rory MacDonald has been informed he’s going to have to wait a little longer.
On Wednesday, UFC Tonight’s Ariel Helwani reported that MacDonald was informed by the UFC last week that he will not be fighting for the belt next. MacDonald was cageside on Dec. 6 for Johny Hendricks‘ rematch with Robbie Lawler, and was right there to witness the belt changing hands.
With the sequel in the books, and both of the Lawler-Hendricks fights going to split decisions, it appears the UFC is leaning towards an immediate trilogy fight between the two, meaning MacDonald is the odd man out.
Going into the fight, MacDonald had been promised the winner of UFC 181’s main event, with the understanding that his challenge for the welterweight title would take place in his native Canada. Yet the promise was always a little conditional, given the nature of the first Hendricks-Lawler fight back in March at UFC 171. If Lawler won, particularly in a close fight, the trilogy would look attractive. And that’s exactly what happened, meaning MacDonald’s own rematch with Lawler is now up in the air.
Though it wasn’t the news that MacDonald was hoping for, a week after letting the news sink in MacDonald told UFC Tonight that he won’t let it get him down.
“It’s all good,” MacDonald said. “I’m just gonna light up whoever is next. Like always.”
UFC Tonight’s Helwani also asked Hendricks’ manager Ted Ehrhardt if the UFC had informed them that a trilogy with Lawler would be next.
“Not yet,” Ehrhardt said.