Rory MacDonald was one of many high profile signings for Bellator MMA in the last two years and he made his debut at Bellator 179, submitting Paul Daley.
Despite a successful debut with the promotion and an upcoming title shot, the Canadian is still dealing with some disappointments he has with the Viacom owned company.
“I’ve expressed my disappointment with Bellator,” MacDonald told MMA Junkie. “I had some conversations with (Bellator President) Scott Coker expressing that. I’m not the type of fighter that needs to be sidelined and fight once a year. I need to be kept busy. I think he knows now. I think he wants to improve on that in 2018 and keep me more busy. I’m waiting. We’ll see. I hope that I’ll get at least three fights in during 2018.”
MacDonald fought a total of 13 times in his 6 years with the UFC, averaging a little over two fights per year.
The fighter believes that if he can capture the welterweight title this coming January, that it would also help the promotion finally break into Canada.
“It’s been a slow process with Bellator,” MacDonald said. “I think their organization is – they’re a little bit scattered. It’s a small staff, and things like that. But they’re doing the best they can. I’m sure 2018 we’ll get that ball rolling. Once I’m the champion, I think that creates more excitement going into Canada, going in as the champion. It’s more meaningful to promote a fight up there having a Canadian champion. We’ll see what happens.”
Bellator MMA: Lima vs. MacDonald takes place on Saturday, January 20 from The Forum in Inglewood, California with Douglas Lima and Rory MacDonald headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, which airs live on Spike TV.
