Since leaving the UFC to sign with Bellator last year, the Canadian talent wants to become the promotion’s biggest champion and plans to rule the welterweight throne for a long time.
MacDonald’s Bellator debut comes against British knockout artist Paul Daley, and ‘The Red King’ plans to make a statement by beating ‘Semtex’ at his own game.
MacDonald, 27, plans to test Daley’s wrestling but has no problem standing and trading with the heavy-handed Brit. In fact, the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt wants to knock Daley out to guarantee a title shot against current Bellator 170-pound champ, Douglas Lima.
“Yea, absolutely I want to test out his wrestling and his ground game in general,” MacDonald told Chris Taylor of BJPenn.com in a recent interview. “With that being said, I don’t feel like it is going to be a bad thing for me if the fight stays standing. I like my chances on the feet as well.”
“I will get my title shot right after I go out there and knock out (Paul) Daley.”
Although MacDonald is predicting a knockout, the Tristar MMA representative won’t hesitate to lock up a submission if the opportunity presents itself.
“With that said, I don’t see a submission being out of the picture either. I feel like I have good chances of finishing the (Daley) fight with strikes or a submission.”
MacDonald last fought at UFC Fight Night 89 where he lost to Stephen Thompson via unanimous decision in the main event. The Montreal-based fighter was formerly ranked as a top-five UFC welterweight and will look to prove himself under the Bellator banner.
MacDonald vs. Daley will feature as the headlining bout for Bellator 179 and takes place on May 19 at the SSE Arena in London, England.
Rory MacDonald is hoping a knockout over Paul Daley at Bellator 179 will catapult him to title contention.
Since leaving the UFC to sign with Bellator last year, the Canadian talent wants to become the promotion’s biggest champion and plans to rule the welterweight throne for a long time.
MacDonald’s Bellator debut comes against British knockout artist Paul Daley, and ‘The Red King’ plans to make a statement by beating ‘Semtex’ at his own game.
MacDonald, 27, plans to test Daley’s wrestling but has no problem standing and trading with the heavy-handed Brit. In fact, the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt wants to knock Daley out to guarantee a title shot against current Bellator 170-pound champ, Douglas Lima.
“Yea, absolutely I want to test out his wrestling and his ground game in general,” MacDonald told Chris Taylor of BJPenn.com in a recent interview. “With that being said, I don’t feel like it is going to be a bad thing for me if the fight stays standing. I like my chances on the feet as well.”
“I will get my title shot right after I go out there and knock out (Paul) Daley.”
Although MacDonald is predicting a knockout, the Tristar MMA representative won’t hesitate to lock up a submission if the opportunity presents itself.
“With that said, I don’t see a submission being out of the picture either. I feel like I have good chances of finishing the (Daley) fight with strikes or a submission.”
MacDonald last fought at UFC Fight Night 89 where he lost to Stephen Thompson via unanimous decision in the main event. The Montreal-based fighter was formerly ranked as a top-five UFC welterweight and will look to prove himself under the Bellator banner.
MacDonald vs. Daley will feature as the headlining bout for Bellator 179 and takes place on May 19 at the SSE Arena in London, England.
