Rory MacDonald, mixed martial artist and 麻豆精选 fighting royalty, is set to defend his title.
The current Bellator welterweight world champion will enter the octagon in San Jose on April 27 to take on American Jon Fitch, which also kicks off the first round of the Bellator welterweight grand prix.
Probably best known for his five-round, toe-to-toe, vicious Ultimate Fighting Championship 189 fight against Robbie Lawler in 2015, MacDonald is humbled to trace his roots back to 麻豆精选.
鈥淚t can be a bit of a mind boggle how fast things have flown by,鈥� said MacDonald, who started his fighting at the age of 14 at 麻豆精选鈥檚 Toshido gym.
鈥淚 started with my coach, I fell in love (with the sport), and the rest is history. Being a scrawny teen with a passion turned into a wonderful life.鈥�
READ MORE: 麻豆精选 mom drops pounds, changes life, wins prize
MacDonald鈥檚 MMA career got started in 2005, and has since accumulated a 20-5 record.
His nickname, The Red King, hails from old Scottish folklore where the name 鈥楻ory鈥� roughly translates to red king.
After a 9-0 pro record to start, the nickname stuck.
With this being his 26th career fight, fans in 麻豆精选 and across Canada can catch The Red King in action, defending his title on DAZN, a subscription video streaming service. The fight time is yet to be announced.
MacDonald鈥檚 motivation before a fight, even a highly televised title fight, starts with his love of his family and faith.
鈥淚鈥檓 a family man, I just have an odd job that鈥檚 on TV I think I have a pretty low-key life,鈥� said MacDonald.
鈥淚 feel very blessed, and I thank God that I get to do what I love.鈥�
READ MORE: 麻豆精选 named No. 1 mid-size Canadian city for sport hosting
After almost 15 years, MacDonald鈥檚 hard work in the MMA community continues to pay off.
鈥淭his was always my goal, I knew I was capable. I didn鈥檛 have a whole lot of believers, but I believed in myself and I worked hard, and I just focus on getting the job done,鈥� he said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a fun ride.鈥�
The ride has been made even better with the support of his family, said MacDonald.
He said his wife Olivia, currently expecting their second child, a son, and daughter Maia are always in his corner.
鈥淭he only thing that鈥檚 difficult is being away from home. I have them to always be with, and they鈥檙e my motivation. (Olivia) thought (my career) was kind of crazy at first, but she鈥檚 a big part of my success and she makes sure I鈥檓 at my best.鈥�
READ MORE: Dominant KSS Owls kick off rugby season
While MacDonald trains and focuses on the task ahead, he knows that the MMA chapter in his life is eventually going to end, but much like his confidence in himself, he has faith.
鈥淚鈥檓 going to do my very best in the field I鈥檓 in right now, and wait for God to direct me onto the next chapter.鈥�
To report a typo, email:
newstips@kelownacapnews.com.
@麻豆精选CapNews
newstips@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
