News of Canadian Rory MacDonald’s retirement took the fighting world by surprise. The decision was confirmed by his wife, Olivia, on her social media. The now ex-fighter was brutally knocked out by Dilano Taylor on the PFL MMA card, in a clash last Saturday (13), in Cardiff, capital of Wales. With the loss, he was eliminated from the organization’s welterweight GP, which offers $1 million to the winner.

The traditional act of leaving the gloves in the center of the cage, after the unfavorable result, was the password that Rory hung up his gloves.

“So many emotions today. Please be kind with your words. It’s been a wonderful journey seeing this man in trouble. Rory hung up his gloves and (is) very at peace with it. (Toast) To new beginnings. Thank you,” his wife wrote. of McDonald’s.

The second biggest name in MMA in Canada, behind only Georges St-Pierre, retired with a record of 23 wins, ten losses and one draw. Rory joined the UFC at just 20 years old and managed to defeat powerful opponents like Nate Diaz, BJ Penn, Demian Maia, Tyron Woodley, among others. The victories led to him challenging for the UFC welterweight belt five years later, but he suffered a fifth-round TKO by Robbie Lawler at UFC 189. That match is considered one of the best matches of the “modern era” of MMA.

Subsequently, MacDonald left the UFC and joined Bellator. The change was good for the Canadian who won the under 77 kg division belt and defended his title twice. He rose through the ranks in the division and almost reached the double belt of the organization led by Scott Coker, in 2018, but was beaten at the end of the title by Gegard Mousasi, in the second round by TKO.

After the loss to Douglas Lima which caused the loss of the welterweight belt, in 2019, Rory MacDonald migrated again, this time to the PFL (Professional Fighters League), in which he performed well in two seasons, s stopping in the semi-finals in both. Before last Saturday’s knockout, the Canadian’s record was pretty bad, with four defeats in five fights.