Over the past two-and-a-half years, UFC welterweight Rory MacDonald is his own toughest competition, racking up multiple injuries. That fact will shift on July 27 any time he meets top-10 challenger Jake Ellenberger at UFC on Fox 8.
MacDonald made his debut with the promotion in January 2010, beating Mike Guymon. The win extended MacDonald's unbeaten talent to 10 consecutive fights and arrange a bout against old WEC welterweight champion Carlos Condit.
MacDonald looked to get on his way for an 11th straight win, when Condit pulled of an impressive come-from-behind stoppage, earning a TKO win with just seven seconds left with the fight.
Since that "Fight within the Night" performance, MacDonald hasn't been close to defeat, realizing four wins (two TKO, two unanimous decision) en route to earning a spot inside top three of the UFC's welterweight rankings. Not too shabby to get a 23-year-old fighter.
If everyone poll fans and commentators, you'll find that many consider MacDonald being a future champion in the welterweight division. They'll say that the only thing that can stop MacDonald from realizing his dream about becoming welterweight champ is normally his friendship with and unwillingness to fight current UFC kingpin Georges St-Pierre.
Ellenberger (29-6), ranked right behind MacDonald in the welterweight department, is not one these believers. Speaking to The MMA Digest, Ellenberger offered these when speaking of your partner's upcoming opponent:
I'm not sold on him. In my opinion the only top-10 guy in this particular division he's fought he or she is lost to, and that's Carlos Condit. I think he's definitely a little daughter up-and-comer, but nothing special... It's still surprising opinion, for some reason some individuals in this industry believe that he's a top-five man, which I don't also think he's a top-10 chap.
Ellenberger does have a place: MacDonald's wins have come over fighters outside the top 10, but his wins are so dominant that it's simple to grasp the huge potential in him. He ragdolled Nate Diaz on the way to a unanimous selection win. MacDonald then put into practice that up with TKO wins over Mike Pyle and Che Mills, before going on to brutalize former UFC champion BJ Penn in the three-round unanimous decision.
The MMA world is often a small one, so it's no real shock that Ellenberger's comments have reached MacDonald. MacDonald took things in stride when talking to Alchemist Radio, even agreeing that his level of competition hasn't been on par with that fighters that Ellenberger has met in earlier times.
Now that MacDonald is upgrading to top-10 competition, he plans on taking advantage of the opportunity and justifying his standing inside the UFC's welterweight division:
Now I'm here fighting guys in the top 10, I've already been climbing the ranks. Regretably for him, he's going to be the first guy in the highest 10 that I'm going to have to get. As far as what he said about my own skills being average with best, I just believe ignorance is bliss. He's going to possess a big eye opener at that night.
On September 27 in Seattle, we'll find out which of these top ranked welterweights can back up their words and take the next measure toward a potential UFC distinction shot
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