Ares: I’m going to hold the belt for a long time

UFC welterweight Rory MacDonald recently appeared on Ariel Helwani‘s The MMA Hour, and discussed his fight with Tarec Saffiedine at UFC Fight Night 54, on October 4, in Halifax, NS. MacDonald is coming off a unanimous decision over Tyron Woodley, that some thought could lead to a title fight.

“I didn’t really put too much hope into it,” said MacDonald as transcribed by Luke Thomas for MMAFighting. “I was just kind of going with the flow. I have to do what I have to do when I fight. That’s all within my hands. That’s what’s in my control. I try to put on the best performance as I can and try to get to that spot. I think I’m inching my way closer. I’m right there. I’ll fight whoever I have to fight to prove that I’m the best.”

Saffiedine had publicly and repeatedly called for the fight with MacDonald, something that “Ares” barely acknowledged.

“I don’t really think about it, to be completely honest,” said MacDonald. “My hope is just to be fighting for the championship. I don’t really care about people who are ranked below me or whatever. I just want the belt. If other people are calling me out, that’s OK. That’s on them.”

“I’m not going to argue the UFC’s decision on who they want fighting next for the belt, but I really believe that I am the best. When I got that shot, I’m going to make a statement. I’m going to be holding that belt for a long time.”

“I’ve felt that I’ve grown from my two losses in the UFC. It’s been a positive thing. All my fights since then and my fights going forward will be better.”

“I’m in the hunt mode. I feel like right now in the last couple of fights, I’m really hungry. I’m really focused. I’m here for the kill.

“I’m coming for the belt. I’m going to demolish everyone I have to to get to that point.”