“I want to make the most money I can. I want to get paid for what I bring to the table. I’ve sacrificed a lot to get to the top, to the world title. I really sacrificed, and I took a lot of chances. I did a lot of favors, I felt like, for the UFC and I don’t think it got returned. So now it’s all about making money, and whoever wants to pay me the most is where I’ll go… The experience itself, the fight was great. I loved it. It was a great thing for me and my martial arts career. But, you know, a performance like that and everything I did leading up to it in my career with the UFC, I feel like I should be left a little bit more financially stable. I still make good money, but I still feel that I was worth more. That I brought more to the table than what I really got. So I just have to really fight for what is right, on the business side now. And I guess getting to that point, to the world title and stuff, after a hard fight like that, it just opened my eyes to it. Okay, now it’s time to get a little more business savvy rather than just do whatever just to get to the big fight… I’d rather not go through it [free agency]. I mean, I’d rather just agree on something with the UFC and move forward. But we’ll see what happens. I’m very willing to do it though, if that means making more money.”
-In an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Rory MacDonald explained why he’s fighting out his contract with Stephen Thompson fight this June.
Penick’s Analysis: MacDonald’s given the UFC everything he’s had so far in his run, including being one half of one of the craziest title fights ever last summer with Robbie Lawler. He’s also one of the most relevant competitors the UFC has had moving towards free agency. Benson Henderson is the current top name right now as a former champion, but if MacDonald defeats Stephen Thompson on June 18 he’s quite possibly the best talent to come on the market. The UFC should absolutely pay him at that point, especially when he’ll arguably be in line for another shot at the UFC Welterweight Championship. He’s earned a much bigger payday, and hopefully he gets it.
[Photo (c) Joe Camporeale via USA Today Sports]
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