Rory MacDonald has shared the octagon with many large names within the historical past of the UFC’s welterweight division, however the previous title challenger says there’s one identify he want he acquired the possibility to combat.
“Purple King” competed 13 occasions within the UFC, and 6 occasions every in Bellator and PFL earlier than calling it a profession in 2022. On a current episode of JAXXON Podcast, MacDonald reveals the combat that acquired away, in his opinion.
“I believe there would’ve been just a few extra guys I’d’ve favored to combat,” MacDonald mentioned. “I’d’ve favored to combat Nick Diaz out of respect — if he hears it he’s most likely going to get offended.
“Yeah, it’s simply one other large identify I grew up watching.”
MacDonald has fought everybody from Robbie Lawler on two events, to Carlos Condit, Demian Maia, Tyron Woodley, and B.J. Penn all through his profession.
When requested who the hardest opponents of his profession had been, MacDonald was fast to call two former titleholders — with one being an interim champ — whereas additionally discussing one of many craziest, full-circle opponents of his combating chapter.
“Robbie Lawler, Carlos Condit, these guys [were the toughest],” MacDonald mentioned.
“[But I also fought B.J. Penn and] that was loopy for me. B.J. was a man I actually watched a number of tape on. I actually favored his fights, so it was like combating a hero and an idol. I began watching and coaching combined martial arts once I was like 13, 14 years previous, so I used to be watching these guys as a child and now I’m within the ring combating them? So it was fairly wild. And he was speaking every kind of smack earlier than the combat. I don’t even bear in mind [what he was saying], it was all silly stuff. As a result of Georges and him had a rivalry, that they had two fights and I believe he was nonetheless a bit bitter about it, that Georges beat him.
“So he was saying, ‘Oh, that child’s on steroids,‘ this and that, and he even challenged me to do personal drug testing, which I accepted and proved him incorrect.”
