Rory MacDonald knows a lot about the commercial side of the fighting game.
The former Bellator welterweight champion, UFC title challenger and current PFL fighter has a lot of experience with the out-of-cage aspect of MMA. MacDonald (21-6-1 MMA) has worked with a number of major MMA promotions, handled many types of contracts, and has tested their value in the free agent market twice.
MacDonald left the UFC as one of the best fighters in the 170-pound division in 2016. He signed with Bellator later that year, and then fought six times under his banner. Last December, MacDonald left to join the PFL. Both promotional jumps came as a surprise to many, but they also shed light on MacDonald’s professional management.
Speaking to MMA Junkie, “The Red King” discussed some of the things he learned throughout his career in response to recent criticism from fighters about UFC revenue share with his athletes.
“It is a difficult place,” MacDonald told MMA Junkie. “You are in the difficult business of being a professional mixed martial artist. Most of the money goes to promotion. We have nothing like the Ali Law that protects us to get, you know, a fair distribution of the money that comes from these events. So in the current situation, the current scoreboard, you have to fend for yourself is what I see. “
MacDonald believes that the best course of action is to pursue your own interest when it comes to making money in MMA. This could mean a lot of things, but for him, it has meant going somewhere else at the time of the contract.
“I felt when I was in the UFC, I was focused on being just a champion, and when I get to first place I want to be a superior competitor and the money will come,” said Macdonald. “But it seemed that the increases from when I got to the next contract were not going to give me anything substantial. So I had to make a difficult decision, but I believe in myself that it would be successful with the UFC and I am not saying ill will towards the UFC. That’s the way they do business, and that’s fine.
“That is the current market and we as fighters have to deal with it. The way I treated him is to do what is best for me. I had to move somewhere else and look at the whole market to see other promotions and see what was the best situation for me. “
One thing you haven’t heard from MacDonald? He never spoke ill of his previous promoters, and that will not change.
“Every time there is a contract negotiation, it is better not to burn bridges with different promoters. You want to maintain a good relationship with everyone. Speaking badly about a promoter won’t do you any favors seven years later by talking about different promotions and seeing who wants to bring you back. So I always try to be respectful of the promoters and work together and make a deal that works for everyone. “
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