Rory MacDonald signs with Bellator MMA

On July 11, 2015, Rory MacDonald had the fight of the year with Robbie Lawler. Many fans think it is was the fight of the ever.

The fight was such that neither fighter may be quite the same ever again, in terms of brain integrity. In losing, MacDonald made his contracted $59,000, plus a $50,000 performance bonus, plus, hopefully, a locker room bonus.

A year later, on June 18, 2016, MacDonald lost a unanimous decision to Stephen Thompson.

Prior to the Thompson fight, MacDonald announced that rather than sign a new contract with the UFC before the old one ended, he was going to let his contract expire after the next fight, and test free agency.

“Hopefully I’ll find an offer somewhere, whether it be in the UFC or somewhere else, where I feel like I’m appreciated the way I feel I should be,” said MacDonald to SportsNet.

“It certainly is [a tough way to make a living], but it’s the only way I know. … I think [the fight with Thompson is] a good opportunity for me. I couldn’t ask for a better one really. A tough guy with a lot of hype and momentum behind him. So if I can stop that, it really catapults me right to the best possible situation for myself.”

“Hopefully I get a deal with the UFC after I beat Wonderboy. And then get the rematch for the title. That would be picture-perfect for me .. I’m hoping I get a chance to really show I can beat Robbie.”

Now FloCombat was the first to report that after a brief free agency period, MacDonald has signed with Bellator MMA. On Tuesday night the UFC reportedly declined to exercise their matching clause, after reviewing the offer sheet from Bellator.

MacDonald has been removed from the UFC’s official rankings, confirming the change.

If ever there was a time when the UFC held a monopoly on elite talent, it’s over. Whether that is good for fans who want to see the best fight the best remains to be seen. But the competition is great for the elite fighters.