In June, UFC welterweight Rory MacDonald will fight the final bout on his current contract with the industry-leader, starting a countdown to free agency that’s by now become a familiar story to MMA observers.
MacDonald (18-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC), who at UFC Fight Night 89 faces Stephen Thompson (12-1MMA, 7-1 UFC), is the latest UFC fighter to forgo the certainty of a new contract for the potential bigger payouts on the open market, joining a small group that’s made a big noise in the industry. Benson Henderson, Aljamain Sterling and Matt Mitrione all completed their contracts, with Henderson and Mitrione eventually signing with Bellator.
So far, only Henderson has fought for the Viacom-owned promotion. This past Friday, the ex-UFC lightweight champ was thoroughly outclassed in a welterweight bout against champ Andrey Koreshkov, lending a sour note to the optimistic tenor brought by his defection.
When MacDonald’s next move is mentioned, Bellator is an obvious choice. And while Bellator President Scott Coker said he won’t get in the way of any fighter’s process in becoming a free agent, he has some advice for those who are thinking about doing so.
“You should fight your fights out, because we’re here too,” Coker told MMAjunkie at a press conference for Bellator 158, which takes place at London’s O2 Arena. The event is co-headlined by fired UFC welterweight Paul Daley (38-13-2 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) and onetime UFC title challenger Josh Koscheck (17-10 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), another veteran who signed with the No. 2 player when the numbers on a new contract didn’t add up.
Coker said the decision to test the market boils down to smart business.
“Now, there’s more than one buyer, which is good for the market, which is good for individuals, which is good for the league, which is good for the industry,” he said.
MacDonald has an important fight ahead in Thompson, who’s won his past six and most recently knocked out ex-champ Johny Hendricks. The two headline the FOX Sports 1-televised fight night on June 18 at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Thoughts of moving elsewhere should be last on the Canadian’s mind. Right now, he’s gambling at a victory that will boost his value when the bidding starts for his services. When that time comes, however, Coker said he’s got his eye on the fighter.
“He’s a guy that we’d be interested in talking to, if the time is right,” Coker said.
Bellator's Scott Coker: Time's right for UFC vets like Rory MacDonald to test free agency
