Rory MacDonald vs. Ryan Bader? ‘The Red King’ wants gold in three Bellator divisions

[La Paix]

One Bellator weight division isn’t enough to hold Rory MacDonald. The top welterweight fighter has lofty future plans — including a trip up to light heavyweight to face champion Ryan Bader.

MacDonald told MMA Fighting on Tuesday that his hope is to beat Douglas Lima for the Bellator welterweight title Jan. 20 here in Los Angeles and move up. First would be the middleweight title, but he wouldn’t want to stop there.

“I’d go for three,” MacDonald said. “I’d fight [Ryan] Bader.”

MacDonald said he walks around at about 188 pounds, so he’d be giving up a great deal of size at 205. Bader, the Bellator light heavyweight champion, would be far, far bigger. Not that MacDonald would mind.

Welterweight would still be MacDonald’s main weight class in this vision, but he doesn’t want to restrict himself to just 170 pounds.

Rory MacDonald vs. Ryan Bader? ‘The Red King’ wants gold in three Bellator divisions

 

[La Paix]

 

[The Big Guy]

 

[La Paix]

 

[HEATH VON DOOM]

So a guy that could never make it to the top in 1 weight class in the UFC has a legit shot at 3 bellator belt and this is the supose to be considered #2 organization?

 

[ShakaSway]

Do enjoy fighters going to different weight divisions every now again. Also sounds like he is planning on cutting less weight for each move, which could be a good or bad thing, but I view it as a positive over guys like AJ cutting 60lbs for WW. Sure. I'm game. Rory iMacDonald 3 crown champ!

 

[The Big Guy]

 

[Robbie Hart]

The only thing I think of every time I see red king is Marlboro reds

 

[Mix6APlix]

Bader would rape Rory.

 

[RickStorm]

I appreciate his ambition but I don't see that happening.

 

[La Paix]

I appreciate his ambition but I don't see that happening.

Good to see you around Mr. Fitzwell.

 

[RickStorm]

Good to see you around Mr. Fitzwell.

Thank you brother

 

[TheEmperorRises]

Rory like

 

[The Big Guy]

Bader would rape Rory.

Ill watch

 

[ShakaSway]

Bader would rape Rory.

My brother and I were discussing if a fighter would ever go that far to dominate a round. We concluded a ref would probably step in at that point. Or a solid 10-8. Never know with these judges though.

Well, suppose that'd be considered top control. Arguable submission attempt? I'm over thinking this. Carry on.

 

[kneeblock]

Whenever a guy thinks they're gonna win multiple gold they're losing next fight.

 

[Wild]

I appreciate his ambition but I don't see that happening.

Yeah, me either. Bellator has some killers on their roster, despite what UFC fans say.

 

[SongExotic2]

Yeah, me either. Bellator has some killers on their roster, despite what UFC fans say.

Yea they have Daley, wandy, bader, Rory, Davis, big country, mitrione and Mir

To name a few

 

[Mix6APlix]

Yeah, me either. Bellator has some killers on their roster, despite what UFC fans say.

Honestly I'd rather watch Bellator at this point. UFC fighters need to get an ego check. Do I think they deserve to be paid more, you're damn right I do. However I think it should be straight across the board. You take the same physical risks on a fight pass prelim as you do in a title fight. Plus you don't need 2 big names to have a good fight. Taking from the many to give to the few reminds me too much of the government.

With all that said, I'll watch any mma. Regional orgs, kotc, ritc, whatever...I'm always down with a good fight.

 

[bully4me]

So a guy that could never make it to the top in 1 weight class in the UFC has a legit shot at 3 bellator belt and this is the supose to be considered #2 organization?

Unless you count Rory beating the current UFC WW Champ and the latest #1 Contender in Maia. Styles make fights and Twice MacDonald had very competitive fights with Robbie. Up until the last round (when he got that nose completely samshed again) he was winning the fight on all three judges score cards. Not like it wasn't competitive like some title fights. I

Rory talking about his last few fights in the UFC and how he got out of fighting his game. Think it was important as Rory learned the hard way to fight his way, use his strengths, which is what he did in the Daley fight. Right now I'd put him at the top of the division, even though he doesn't have the UFC Belt.

 

[bully4me]

So a guy that could never make it to the top in 1 weight class in the UFC has a legit shot at 3 bellator belt and this is the supose to be considered #2 organization?

Unless you count Rory beating the current UFC WW Champ and the latest #1 Contender in Maia. Styles make fights and Twice MacDonald had very competitive fights with Robbie. Up until the last round (when he got that nose completely samshed again) he was winning the fight on all three judges score cards. Not like it wasn't competitive like some title fights. I

Rory talking about his last few fights in the UFC and how he got out of fighting his game. Think it was important as Rory learned the hard way to fight his way, use his strengths, which is what he did in the Daley fight. Right now I'd put him at the top of the division, even though he doesn't have the UFC Belt.

 

[HEATH VON DOOM]

Unless you count Rory beating the current UFC WW Champ and the latest #1 Contender in Maia. Styles make fights and Twice MacDonald had very competitive fights with Robbie. Up until the last round (when he got that nose completely samshed again) he was winning the fight on all three judges score cards. Not like it wasn't competitive like some title fights. I

Rory talking about his last few fights in the UFC and how he got out of fighting his game. Think it was important as Rory learned the hard way to fight his way, use his strengths, which is what he did in the Daley fight. Right now I'd put him at the top of the division, even though he doesn't have the UFC Belt.

Sounds like excuses to me. How many UFC belts does he have hanging on his wall with his name on them?

 

[Silverball]

So a guy that could never make it to the top in 1 weight class in the UFC has a legit shot at 3 bellator belt and this is the supose to be considered #2 organization?

Saying something and actually doing it are two different things. You should know that better than most. If you don't think Rory is, at the very least, top 3 in the world at 170 (and only 27 years old), then I question your knowledge of the sport, generally speaking.

 

[TheEmperorRises]

Yea they have Daley, wandy, bader, Rory, Davis, big country, mitrione and Mir

To name a few

 

[bully4me]

Sounds like excuses to me. How many UFC belts does he have hanging on his wall with his name on them?[/QUOTE

Perhaps listen to the interview. How can anyone say something sounds one way or another without hearing the entire thing? Was the interview on Big Brown's Podcast.


His coaches came up with "A Plan", not really using the strengths that got Rory to that point in the first place. Especially in the Wonderboy fight, they wanted him to use Karate counters, kept bringing in more Karate guys, as Rory states " he went down the Rabbit Hole". Went away from what he does and regretted it very much. This isn't uncommon. lots of fighter and coaches alike try and use a different skill set as a fresh approach before their "Biggest Fight" so the opponent doesn't know what's coming. Issue is, it's unproven for that fighter and most of the time doesn't work.

It's obvious you're not a fan and will discount anything. That's fine everyone has fighters they like and dislike, mine is Faber, just can't make myself give the guy props for anything. Just hope it's that and NOT because Rory isn't fighting in the UFC so therefore he can't possibly be a top fighter.