Rory MacDonald expects a title shot with a win over Tarec Saffiedine
When Rory MacDonald was done with his last fight where he bludgeoned Tyron Woodley up, down and sideways over the course of three rounds he thought for sure he was going to get the call for a title shot.
Since the day he debuted in the UFC, MacDonald has been referred to as the future of the welterweight division, but a stutter step in his fight against Robbie Lawler in 2013 pushed him out of the title picture for the time being. Two fights and two wins since that time have MacDonald ranked No. 2 in the world, but still on the outside looking in for a title shot.
While he's been loud and boisterous in the past in regards to fighting for the belt, as MacDonald approaches his fight this weekend in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada it sounds as if he's finally just resigned to facing whoever gets puts in front of him and being done with all the outside drama that goes along with asking or demanding anything in the UFC.
"I just focus on the actual fighting part of it and I let the show stay in the background," MacDonald told FOX Sports. "I'm happy that people are supportive and happy with my performances. It means I'm doing the right thing. When it's fight time, I focus on just that. I separate out all the fake stuff and the things people are saying. I just try to take care of what's really in front of me and everything else will fall into place."
So when the UFC came calling this time with a top 10 opponent in Tarec Saffiedine instead of a title shot, MacDonald just rolled with the punches and got ready for a fight camp. Maybe in the past, MacDonald would feel burned that he has to fight a lower ranked opponent or that he's somehow being passed over in favor of another fighter.
The way MacDonald sees it, however, is this his first chance to headline a UFC fight card and to prepare for five rounds, which is something he's never done before now.
"The UFC wanted me on this card so I accepted. Against a top 10 opponent so I'm excited for this fight. It's going to be an interesting test and a fun fight," MacDonald said.
"I'm glad to be fighting five rounds. It's definitely good experience if I want to be a title fighter in the future. I'm definitely looking forward to the five rounds."
What the fight this weekend does for MacDonald probably lands in two major categories. First and foremost, it gets him closer to a shot at the belt, which is ultimately the goal he has in the sport.
"It would have been nice, but I think the UFC wanted Robbie (Lawler) fighting (Johny Hendricks)," MacDonald said. "I think after this fight, after I beat Tarec, then I'm positioned very well for a shot at the title."
Second, MacDonald gets to continue growing his fan base in the land up north as the new face of Canadian MMA.
MacDonald never asked to be loved or hated by any fan, but there's always something special about being the national hero of your home country. MacDonald saw his teammate and good friend Georges St-Pierre bask in the adoration of millions for years while he was in the UFC.
Now that St-Pierre is retired, that champion of Canada crown has landed squarely on MacDonald's head.
"It was never something I really set out to do. It's a new thing that I'm adjusting to, a lot more attention now that Georges is retired. The Canadian support is unreal," MacDonald said. "It's nice to see how much the fans get behind their athletes in any sport, but especially in the UFC.
"I hope I can become champion and represent Canada well."
