Today’s mixed martial arts scene has become full of individuals who are beginning to “get it.” The path that Chael Sonnen started is now being paved with gold by the likes of Conor McGregor and others. However, there are still competitors who can get the job done in the cage, but can’t quite get over with the fans. Rory MacDonald fits that mold. But interestingly enough, he seems to be making his mark as an intriguing personality in the sport without all of the pomp and circumstance.
It is very clear that MacDonald is an elite player in the world of mixed martial arts. At 25 years old he has already put together an 18-2 professional record. He has been such an extraordinary talent that many expect him to eventually take the mantle that was vacated by his countryman, Georges St. Pierre. He was close to that opportunity before Robbie Lawler upset him in back at UFC 167. However, with three wins in less than a year, including a TKO win over Tarec Saffiedine in the main event of UFC Fight Night 54, MacDonald is back in a position to receive a shot at the man holding the title after Lawler and Johny Hendricks meet in the UFC 181 main event. The UFC is working hard to sell MacDonald as a true prodigy of the sport, the pinnacle of what a mixed martial artist really is. Slowly, this strategy is working, but at the same time, MacDonald is becoming even more of a peculiar character.
For every ounce of charisma that Sonnen and McGregor have, MacDonald is on the opposite end of the spectrum. With his monotone voice and stoic facial expressions, he seems to be the antithesis of the type of fighter that captures the attention of fans. Still, his almost nerd-like appearance and apathetic mannerisms have made him a hated character among fans.
The animosity between MacDonald and the fans dates back to his 2012 defeat of BJ Penn at UFC on Fox 5. Perhaps it was the way he smashed the iconic Penn throughout that contest, but the ramifications were felt throughout the MMA online fan community. And MacDonald responded with a lack of interest in how the fans felt towards him that only increased the backlash.
“It doesn’t matter. I don’t fight for them,” MacDonald said in a 2012 MMA Weekly piece. “People can love me or hate me. I fight for myself and because I love it. It is what it is.”
Historically, this type of reaction to the “hard working” sports fan has garnered an automatic negative response, and this time was no different. MacDonald became a hated figure to the fans looking into the Octagon.
None of this has stopped “Ares” in his rise to the top, however, as he seems to have solidified his claim to a title shot in the very competitive welterweight division. His world-class abilities have done more than enough talking in the eyes of the UFC and much of the media covering the sport. Rory MacDonald is becoming a star within the MMA world in a way that is different than others. He’s a fighter whose abilities in the cage truly have made the statement that others use their mouths to create. When mixed with his deadpan facial expression, snappy fashion sense, and dismissive responses to critics, Rory MacDonald has the potential to become a villain in MMA without doing anything more than being himself.
**********
UFC Fight Night 54: MacDonald vs. Saffiedine took place on October 4, 2014 at the Halifax Metro Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Click the stars to rate how good you think UFC Fight Night 54 was.
