“I think he still wants to hurt people. I saw him trying to hurt Fitch pretty bad tonight. I think it’s bulls**t.”
Question marks loom over Rory MacDonald’s future as a professional fighter, as the former UFC title challenger turned reigning Bellator welterweight champion revealed in a post-fight media scrum that he may no longer have the drive to ‘hurt people’ in the cage.
MacDonald’s comments came after his draw against Jon Fitch at Bellator 220, which saw ‘The Red King’ defend his welterweight title and advance to the next stage of Bellator’s welterweight grand prix.
“God has really called me the last little while. He’s changed my spirit, changed my heart,” MacDonald said. “It takes a certain spirit to come in here and put a man through pain and stuff. I just don’t know if I have that same drive to hurt people anymore. I don’t know what it is. It’s confusing. But I know the Lord has something in store for me. He was speaking to me in here tonight. It’s a different feeling.”
MacDonald will go on to face undefeated Brazilian jiu jitsu expert Neiman Gracie, who thinks MacDonald was talking ‘bullsh-t’ after his draw against Fitch.
“It’s up to him (whether he wants to fight),” Gracie told MMA Junkie post-fight. “I think he still wants to hurt people. I saw him trying to hurt Fitch pretty bad tonight. I think it’s bulls**t.”
Although MacDonald is clearly having doubts over his future as a mixed martial artist, the 29-year-old is expected to defend his title against Gracie at Bellator 222.
Gracie, who has won all nine of his fights via submission, expects MacDonald to be ready for battle on June 14.
“I’m waiting for Rory now, and I’ll be ready,” Gracie said. “It’s not up to me. I hope he is (ready June 14). He’s the champion. I want to fight for the belt, so I hope he’s ready because I will be.”