MACDONALD JUMPS SHIP FROM UFC TO BELLATOR MMA

Rory MacDonald, the man long considered Ultimate Fighting Championship’s heir in Canada to Georges St-Pierre, is leaving after nearly seven years to join Bellator MMA. MacDonald, 27, of Kelowna, B.C., heads to Bellator MMA on a multi-fight deal. UFC declined to match the contract offer from Bellator, a UFC official confirmed on Wednesday. Financial terms or length of the deal with Bellator were not immediately known. MacDonald, pictured, who turned pro at the age of 16 and made his UFC debut at 20 years old, became a free agent in June after completing the last bout on his most recent contract. He chose to not re-sign with UFC before his contract expired, electing instead to test his value on the open market.