Rory MacDonald Scouting Report

(Paul Abell-USA TODAY Sports)

Rory MacDonald Scouting Report

Vitals

5’11” 170 lbs (Welterweight)
76.5″ reach, Orthodox
July 22, 1989

Record

18-4 (UFC: 9-4)

Current Streak

2 straight losses

Training

Black belt in no gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Championships Held

King of the Cage Canadian Lightweight Champion: 2007 (no title defense)
King of the Cage Lightweight Champion: 2008 (no title defenses)

Strengths

– very young yet extremely experienced
– very athletic
– trains with the best – Tristar Gym
– big for a welterweight – could fight at 185
– above average reach
– part of the new wave of fighters who grew up training all aspects of MMA
– very well rounded
– knockout power
– very good submission skills
– great MMA wrestler
– physically stronger than most of his opponents
– vicious ground and pound
– great at passing guard on the ground
– very accurate striker
– solid striking defense
– a takedown machine
– great takedown defense
– very intelligent fighter
– very good jab
– great head kicks
– solid chin

Weaknesses

– lost to the majority of elite opponents he has faced
– gets injured frequently in training
– having an issue with frequent nose breaks
– doesn’t finish fights as often as he used to
– can fight too cautiously at times
– has taken some hellacious beatings in the cage – lasting damage (physically and/or mentally)?
– in a slump

Synopsis

No doubt about it – Rory MacDonald is a future UFC champion.  Maybe.  Or maybe not.