UFC contender Rory MacDonald only thinking big
Rory MacDonald will fight Tarec Saffiedine Oct. 4 in Canada in a match that was put together, in large part, because of Saffiedine's calling out of "Ares." MacDonald was happy to sign on the dotted line to fight Saffiedine, but he says he couldn't have cared less about getting called out.
"I don't really think about it, to be completely honest," MacDonald said in a recent MMA Fighting interview.
The Canadian contender says he's got bigger goals than opponents like Saffiedine. "My hope is just to be fighting for the championship," he explained.
"I don't really care about people who are ranked below me or whatever. I just want the belt. If other people are calling me out, that's OK. That's on them."
MacDonald has won his last two fights, following his split decision loss to Robbie Lawler in 2013, and feels he's deserving of a title shot. More than that, he believes he's good enough to be champion.
"I'm in the hunt mode. I feel like right now in the last couple of fights, I'm really hungry. I'm really focused. I'm here for the kill," he said.
"I'm coming for the belt. I'm going to demolish everyone I have to to get to that point."
While his teammate and friend Georges St. Pierre was UFC welterweight champion, MacDonald was long thought of as heir-apparent to the 170 pound throne. The 25 year-old believes that his set-backs have only prepared him more for what's in front of him.
In the end, MacDonald isn't worried about when he'll get his title shot, because he is confident that once he does, he'll win and stay champion for a long time. "I'm not going to argue the UFC's decision on who they want fighting next for the belt, but I really believe that I am the best," he said.
"When I got that shot, I'm going to make a statement. I'm going to be holding that belt for a long time."
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