UFC Hall of Famer Rory MacDonald appears to be training full-time again, fueling speculation about a potential return to competition.
MacDonald, 36, opened up about his retirement and rediscovering his passion for the sport. was one of the top welterweights in the world at his peak. During an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, he revealed that he has been drawn back into a familiar rhythm.
“I don’t know [if I’m returning], but I’m back in the gym full time,” MacDonald said. “It’s got me in the gym loving training again, that’s for sure. I don’t know what it will lead to, but I’m enjoying my time in martial arts again. It just feels good.”
MacDonald added that he isn’t rushing any decisions about a potential return to fighting. For now, he’s enjoying being around the sport again and the process, and staying open should opportunities arise.
“I’m letting God just take the direction in my life, and where the doors open and there’s opportunities, I’m just going down that path,” MacDonald said. “The fire is always there, it’s always part of me.”
UFC Hall of Famer Rory MacDonald Opens up About Stepping Away From MMA
Not only did MacDonald retire from MMA competition, but he even stepped away from all areas of the sport. After his UFC departure, he joined Bellator, where he captured the welterweight championship. He then joined PFL, but retired in 2022 after suffering back-to-back losses.
MacDonald admitted that his retirement had more to do with emotional state rather than his physical attributes regressing.
“I was just disappointed that I didn’t accomplish my goals and I think I was just a little burnt out of the sport and just needed that time away,” MacDonald told Ariel Helwani. “I didn’t watch anything, I didn’t really keep up to date much, I wasn’t training for at least a year or so.”
Despite the emotional toll, MacDonald believes his break was necessary. He said the past few years allowed him to take the time to grow as a person.
“I’m grateful for it because the last three years have given me a lot of time to do a lot of self work,” MacDonald said. “It was really good for me.”
Rory MacDonald Reveals Why he Didn’t Attend Hall of Fame Ceremony
In 2023, MacDonald and Robbie Lawler‘s title fight was inducted into the Fight Wing of the UFC Hall of Fame. However, fans quickly noticed that the Canadian didn’t attend the ceremony.
According to MacDonald, the UFC extended an invitation—but he turned it down.
“I felt like a loser at that point, I lost that fight. What am I gonna go accept an award for losing a fight?”
The former Bellator champion said the wounds from retirement were still fresh. In addition, he admitted that the emotional weight from that loss to Lawler still hadn’t lifted.
In hindsight, MacDonald regrets not being in attendance to receive the honor alongside Lawler.
“I think I should’ve [went to the Hall of Fame ceremony]. I think it would have been nice to be alongside Robbie. We both dug deep in that,” MacDonald said. “I think it would have been the right thing to do looking back.”
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