MMA world reacts to Rory MacDonald’s retirement: “Tremendous legacy”Frontkick.online
Former Bellator welterweight champion and UFC title challenger Rory MacDonald recently announced his retirement. Photo via Instagram: (@romac_gorilla)
Yesterday, MMA veteran Rory MacDonald took to Instagram to announce his retirement from the sport.
“My time has come to put the gloves down for good. I’m so thankful for this sport and every person I’ve been able to meet along the way.
Started this sport as a 14 yr old kid, I still remember my first day and knowing this is what I wanna spend my life doing. The passion for martial arts and becoming a pro mma fighter gave me hope and a way to a better life! And I’m so thankful to god for putting that gym toshido mma in kelowna in my path. it truly changed the direction of my life and saved me,” MacDonald wrote.
The former Bellator welterweight champion and UFC title challenger Rory MacDonald is known for his wins against Nate Diaz, B.J. Penn, Demian Maia and Tyron Woodley. However, MacDonald’s perhaps finest moment came in a gruesome battle against Robbie Lawler at UFC 189.
After parting ways with the UFC, MacDonald inked with Bellator and made his promotional debut in 2017. He won the Bellator welterweight title against Douglas Lima in January 2018. The Canadian ended his long and successful MMA career in PFL.
Congratulations @rory_macdonald on completing a fantastic career in MMA. You are a warrior in every sense of the word, but also the ultimate sportsman. You allowed me to be part of one of the greatest fights in the history of MMA and I will never be able to thank you enough
Congrats on an amazing career, @rory_macdonald. True Canadian MMA legend who was always such a pleasure to watch and cover. Few can dream of having a run as long as he had. 17 years! Massive respect. For how he fought but more importantly how he conducted himself. Thank you.