Rory MacDonald training with original coach ahead of Bellator debut

Rory MacDonald was a staple of the UFC’s welterweight division for many years prior to his departure from the promotion last year, which saw him promptly sign a contract with Bellator MMA.

While MacDonald’s Bellator MMA debut fight wasn’t immediately announced, the former UFC welterweight staple reveled that he was going to take his time before his Bellator MMA debut in order to let a broken nose heal fully. Now however, with just two weeks to go until MacDonald’s debut fight against Paul Daley, MacDonald is back training with his old coach prior to his jump to Tristar gym.

He spoke to MMAFighting to discuss the change ahead of his Bellator debut:

“My original coach Dave [Lea] is here, and I needed to switch my gears a little bit, get back to my strengths, and I feel that Dave is excellent in getting me focused on that,” MacDonald said. “I sometimes have a habit of just exploring so many other routes of martial arts that I get a little distracted. Getting back here I’ve been able to really focus on my strengths, zone in on what I have to do, and it’s been excellent for me. I think you’re going to see the natural Rory MacDonald when I get into that cage.

“If you look back at my fights, if you pick three or four fights in a row, it’s possible if you watch my style I’m fighting a different type of style every single fight. It’s just something I want to get away from. I just want to hone in on how I like to fight rather than just keep exploring new styles and new martial arts. I just got to hone in on my strengths, and that’s what this is all about.”

Only time will tell if MacDonald is able to snap his 2-fight skid and return to the win column against Paul Daley in his Bellator debut.

on 5/3/2017.