Rory Macdonald has opened eyes across Canada’s MMA scene for years and once he accomplished the stature of a UFC fighter, Canada cheered. He is the biggest prospect from Canada since the great Georges St. Pierre hit the scene, and Rory plans on living up to those expectations. Rory took the time to chat with mmareligion.com and let everyone know where he is, and where he is going.
JK (Jason Kelly): How’s it going today?
RM (Rory Macdonald): It’s pretty decent, happy to be alive.
JK: Did you train today?
RM: Yes, I did strength and conditioning with Jon Chaimberg, he’s helping my knee get strength and mobility back before I start my martial art training again.
JK: Are you a little sore?
RM: Nope, it never really gets sore unless I’m stretching it or if I stress it too much, but I’m being careful to be patient with it.
JK: What type of music do you listen to when u train?
RM: I don’t know whatever the gym is playing at the time, usually radio music or hip hop is the standard.
JK: Is hip hop your everyday music or just for training?
RM: I listen to almost every genre of music, from hip hop to classical.
JK: What pumps you up most for training? Or is the motivation always there to train?
RM: I like to have a coffee and listen to whatever music at that time I’m into.
JK: Where are you training now?
RM: I’m in Montreal, training with the group at Tristar; I made the move from Kelowna to Montreal because I needed a step up in competition with sparring partners and improve my technique with coaches that specialize in specific areas of martial arts. Like wrestling, boxing and conditioning
JK: Is there anything in particular you are trying to improve?
RM: Always trying to improve my whole game, but my wrestling/chute box is at the top of my list.
JK: Why do you feel that you need to improve there?
RM: Because I’ll be able to control where the fight goes.
JK: Who do you think are some of the best fighters in MMA right now?
RM: George St. Pierre, Jose Aldo, Cain Velasquez.
JK: It’s no secret that you are a fan of GSP, and trained with him, who else would u like to train with?
RM: Well yeah I train with him every day now (he laughs)…I guess I would like to go to train with Blackhouse, with all those guys.
JK: Do you ever plan on venturing into a different gym permanently?
RM: Not at this moment, I have everything I need where I am right now.
JK: Who called you for your first UFC fight?
RM: My manager was in discussion with Joe Silva over a year’s time.
JK: How did u feel?
RM: Very happy, but put a lot of pressure on myself to show them I belong.
JK: After u destroyed Mike Guymon and continued to Carlos Condit,
what were your thoughts on fighting someone of that caliber so early in your UFC career?
RM: I was offered Carlos and I felt I was at that level so I took the fight, I lost but I gained a world of experience and I’m better for it now.
JK: Did u get ahead of yourself in that fight and think u already won the fight, or was there something in Condit’s game that helped him come back?
RM: No I felt great. And in the last round I know I had him hurt with a head kick and I tried to finish with too much aggression and I got counter punched, and from there on I couldn’t recover enough that the ref would let it continue.
JK: What did you take from that loss?
RM: Experience, and a list of things I need to sharpen up on in the gym.
JK: What injury happened to you that made you fall out the Matt Brown fight?
RM: My bursa in my knee inflamed to the size of a grapefruit and I needed surgery, I’m still trying to recover from it.
JK: How is rehab going?
RM: It’s taking too long, I’m getting impatient to train.
JK: Do you have any idea who your next fight is or when?
RM: Nope.
JK: Do you ever consider switching weight?
RM: Nope.
JK: You were the KOTC lightweight Champion, how do you think you would fair against lighter opponents in the UFC?
RM: I’m too big to make the cut, but I’d do fine.
JK: Would you be interested a super fight someday against GSP or Anderson Silva or BJ Penn?
RM: Not GSP, he’s my friend and training partner, but with Anderson or BJ, yeah sure.
JK: What is your number one goal at this point in your career?
RM: To be the best fighter ever.
JK: What plans do you have for yourself after your fighting career is done?
RM: No plans, we’ll see what happens.
JK: One last thing before I let you go, what is the lasting impression you want fans to have of you when your career is all said and done?
RM: That I worked hard to achieve my goals and that I was the best fighter in the world.
That sounds great Rory, I wish you the best success in the future and I cannot wait to see you back in action. Take care, heal up, and return with a vengeance. Thank you for your time.
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