MacDonald feels ‘ready’ for a shot at the title
VANCOUVER — Rory MacDonald says he’ll respect the decision of Ultimate Fighting Championship officials no matter who they decide gets the next welterweight title shot. That said ...
“I think I’m ready,” said MacDonald after his star performance Saturday night at UFC 174, the fight company’s return to Rogers Arena after a three-year absence.
MacDonald (17-2) fought in the co-main event, but his showdown versus Tyron Woodley (13-3) was the main attraction for many of 13,506 fans in attendance who roared from the time MacDonald walked into the arena until he had his hand raised following what may have been his finest performance. While UFC president Dana White declared the winner of next month’s bout between No. 1-ranked Robbie Lawler and No. 5 Matt Brown will get the next shot at champion Johny Hendricks, MacDonald — ranked No. 2 coming into his match versus third-ranked Woodley — doesn’t want the company to forget about him.
“They should know I’m ready,” said MacDonald, the Kelowna native who turned pro at 16 and has long been tabbed as a future champion. “One day, very soon, the belt will be mine.”
In selected other bouts: ■ The main event at UFC 174 saw one of the sport’s best pound-for-pound fighters do what he does best: Outwork, outland and outscore whoever is put inside the cage with him, as UFC flyweight titleholder Demetrious Johnson (20-2-1) outclassed No. 4- ranked Ali Bagautinov (13-3). With unanimous 50-45 scores, he defended his title for the fourth time.
“I’m the king. I’ll stay the king as long as I can,” said Johnson, who outlanded Bagautinov 166-66 in total strikes, and 133-36 in significant strikes, according to FightMetric. The difference in significant strikes was second-most ever in a title fight. ■ Ryan Bader (18-4) took a leap back up the light-heavyweight rankings, dominating Rafael Feijao (12-5, 1 NC) on his way to unanimous 30-27 scores. ■ Former UFC heavyweight champ Andrei Arlovski (2210, 1 NC) returned to the octagon after six years to squeak by Brendan Schaub (11-4). ■ Ovince St. Preux ( 16- 5) broke the arm of St. John, N. B., native Ryan Jimmo (19-4), forcing a verbal submission at 2:10 of the second round in a light-heavyweight contest. ■ In a preliminary bout, a women’s bantamweight match saw Montreal’s Valerie Letourneau (6-3) awarded a split decision over Elizabeth Phillips (4-2).