Veteran former UFC welterweight title challenger, Rory MacDonald has admitted he would potentially entertain a return to combat sports to score a fight with incoming UFC 315 headliner, Jack Della Maddalena — revealing he is a massive fan of the Australian’s striking-first style.
MacDonald, a Hall of Fame inductee in the UFC, called time on his decorated combat sports career back in 2022, ending a lengthy and storied career in mixed martial arts.
And despite never landing Octagon spoils, MacDonald turned in one of the best fights of all time in a back-and-forth eventual fifth round knockout loss to Robbie Lawler in the pair’s title rematch at UFC 189 back in 2015.
Departing the promotion in 2017, Canadian veteran, MacDonald would go on to land the Bellator MMA welterweight crown, beating Brazilian star, Douglas Lima at the beginning of the following year.
And suffering a downturn in form toward the end of his career, MacDonald called time on his career three years prior — ending his storied tenure in combat sports.
However, during a recent interview with Tim Welch, MacDonald admitted he lamented never facing off with fellow former welterweight title chaser, Nick Diaz during their respective Octagon tenures.
Rory MacDonald weighs up stylistic fight with Jack Della Maddalena
But if he was to make a return to the Octagon in a stunning comeback, he would be gunning for a pairing with incoming title challenger, Della Maddalena.
“Right now, like, I really like JDM (Jack Della Maddalena) as a welterweight,” Rory MacDonald said. “He’s super. I like his style I think that would have been an interesting fight.
“Khamzat (Chimaev) would have been cool,” Rory MacDonald continued. “But, no, these guys would destroy me 1743548132.”
During his memorable run in the UFC, MacDonald, 35, had turned in victories over the likes of Nate Diaz, B.J. Penn, Jake Ellenberger, Demian Maia, Tyron Woodley, and Tarec Saffiedine of note.
