Rory MacDonald plans on staying very busy in the second half of 2018, with the Canadian star already confirming TWO upcoming world title fights for Bellator.
“The Red King” will first challenge newly-minted Bellator middleweight world champion Gegard Mousasi in a champion versus champion clash for the 185lb title at Bellator 206 on September 29 in San Jose.
That fight will take place on the same night the Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix gets underway, and MacDonald’s second title fight will come in that very tournament later in the year.
MacDonald’s first-round bout will see him face fellow UFC title challenger Jon Fitch at an event and location to be announced further down the line once he has completed his bout with Mousasi.
It’s been confirmed that MacDonald’s Bellator welterweight title will be on the line during the Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix, making each bout involving the Canadian a world title defence.
MacDonald posted to Twitter to confirm the news, saying: “So I’m gonna have my hands full this year, praise God. Two dream opportunities in the same year, God answers prayers and knows the desires of our hearts. First I’m up against @mousasi_mma then taking on @jonfitchdotnet in the first round of the welterweight tournament.”
so im gonna have my hands full this year, praise God. two dream opportunities in the same year, God anwser’s prayers and knows the desires of our hearts. first im up against @mousasi_mma then taking on @jonfitchdotnet in the first round of the welterweight tournament
— Rory MacDonald (@rory_macdonald) August 6, 2018
MacDonald will be an interested spectator from the locker room as former 170lb champions Doublas Lima and Andrey Koreshkov do battle in the first bout of the Grand Prix.
The Grand Prix will also feature a welterweight ‘Battle of Britain’ as heated rivals Michael ‘Venom’ Page and Paul ‘Semtex’ Daley will finally meet in one of the most eagerly-awaited clashes of the tournament’s first round.
👊 THE BRACKET IS OUT! 👊
Who do you see in the semi-finals? #BellatorWGP pic.twitter.com/0qtgeE8YYN
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) August 6, 2018
