UFC FIGHTER MacDONALD FEELING THE LOVE FROM HIS FANS IN OTTAWA

According to Ottawa’s UFC fans, Rory MacDonald is the overwhelming favourite in Saturday’s welterweight showdown against Stephen (Wonderboy) Thompson at TD Place.

MacDonald was greeted by chants of “Ro-ree, Ro-ree” by the 500 spectators at the weigh-in Friday afternoon.

MacDonald, who hails from Quesnel, B.C., and is based in Montreal, promised to put on a great show for his Canadian fan base.

“My expectation is the same as always,” said MacDonald. “I’m going for the knockout or a submission and for the best performance of my life.

“I’ve never had a better training camp or preparation. This is going to be the moment of my life.”

MacDonald hasn’t fought since losing to Robbie Lawler last July.

in the expert opinion of at least one other big-name draw, MacDonald will have his hands full with Thompson.

“A sense of uncomfortability will be there,” said former middleweight champion Chris Weidman during a question session with fans.

Weidman, never shy to express an opinion or a dozen, says Thompson is “extraordinary on his feet,’’ which may force MacDonald into “dirty fighting.”

“(MacDonald) has brought in karate style fighters (in training), but Rory has never fought anyone like that before,” said Weidman.

Still, Weidman says there’s nothing predictable about the UFC world.

“It should be a really good fight.”