On Friday, Rory MacDonald will defend his Bellator Welterweight Title against Neiman Gracie at Bellator 222.
Bellator 222 will mark MacDonald’s 5th fight since arriving in the promotion.
Back in May of 2017, MacDonald was making his Bellator debut opposite Paul Daley.
At the time MacDonald was coming off of a two-fight losing streak in the UFC.
Full report from fight night: (via Michael Grocke)
(9) Rory MacDonald #6 (18-4) vs. Paul Daley (39-14-2) – Welterweight 170 lbs.
ROUND ONE: Rory comes out and lands a big overhand right. He follows with a take down. This is exactly the way Rory wanted this fight to start. MacDonald works from on top. Daley doing a nice job defending from underneath, but so far it’s all MacDonald as he administers ground and pound. MacDonald postures up, stands and lands a big right hand and he’s in full mount. He loses position but still has top control. More ground and pound as Daley tries to ride out the final seconds of the round.
10-8 MacDonald
ROUND TWO: Daley misses a kick to the head. MacDonald scores with another take down. MacDonald works from side control. Daley turns away. MacDonald tries to step over but can’t transition to full mount. MacDonald works for Daley’s back. Daley gives it up. MacDonald grabs the neck. He has a RNC and Daley taps instantly.
Result: MacDonald by submission (1:45 of Round 2 – rear naked choke)
Grocke’s Analysis: Wow! That was the Rory MacDonald I was hoping to see! He absolutely steam-rolled Paul Daley. Just a fantastic debut. The usually stoic MacDonald is showing a lot of emotion here. You can tell this one meant a lot to him. He says he will be at the Lima vs. Larkin fight and guarantees he will take the belt from the winner…along with their health. Damn!
Jimmy Smith interviews Paul Daley second and asks what’s next for him. Daley calls Michael Page a p—y multiple times and calls him out for getting injured. He says if he wants to get in the cage with him, he’ll do it. Well, OK then. That’s a fight I’d like to see.
FULL FIGHT HERE:
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