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Bellator 191 headliner Michael McDonald: Insane to think I could have another 10-15 years in MMA


Filed under: Bellator, News, Radio Highlight, UFC, Videos

As he prepares to make his Bellator debut, now is probably a good time to remind you that UFC and WEC veteran Michael McDonald is just 26.

Crazy, right?

“To think about the fact that I could have another 10-15 years (in MMA) if I wanted it is pretty insane,” McDonald told MMAjunkie Radio. “I’ve already been doing this for over 10 years now, professionally, and that’s a good thing – as long as I can keep my body intact. I’ve got a lot of miles, but I’m learning to take good care of my body.”

McDonald debuted in the WEC in 2010 as a teenager and then immediately transitioned to the UFC, earning a “Fight of the Night” bonus in a decision win over Edwin Figueroa in his promotional debut. He was victorious in his first four UFC fights before coming up short in a bid against Renan Barao for the UFC’s interim bantamweight title in 2013.

Injuries and contract disputes slowed McDonald’s output for the next several years, and he ultimately elected to leave the UFC in favor of a fresh start with Bellator.

In Friday’s Bellator 191 headliner at Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle, England, McDonald (17-4 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) faces Frenchman Peter Ligier (8-1-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) in a bout that airs on Spike via same-day tape delay.

It’s a fresh start for McDonald, who could still have plenty of upside remaining in his fighting career. With plenty of top-level experience already under his belt, he knows what it takes to compete against the world’s best. His only regret is that he faced top competition so early in his career that it was difficult to have his compensation match the difficulty of the challenges.

“There’s positives and negatives to it,” McDonald said of the early start to his career. “I fought such high competition so quick while I was on my first UFC contract, and that kind of sucked. I fought Miguel Torres on my very first UFC contract. It’s hard to fight someone according to my pay grade when I’ve just beaten Miguel Torres, and I’m still on my first contract after that. There are complications business-wise. But professionally, when it comes to the competitor in me, I’m very happy with it.”

It’s been nearly 17 months since “Mayday” last stepped in the cage, and he said the time away has done him wonders. At such a young age, McDonald still has plenty of time to deliver on the potential he’s long possessed.

But the first step comes Friday, when McDonald can prove his decision to walk away from the UFC was a wise one.

“I’m really excited, man,” McDonald said. “This is the most focused I’ve been in a very long time. Not only that, it’s the best shape, the best technical-wise, best strength, best cardio I’ve ever had in my entire life. Part of me wishes I felt this way for my UFC fights, particularly my title fight in the UFC, but it happens the way that is is.

“God is sovereign over what’s going on, and I’m positive that what happened was good, but I think still this is the greatest I’ve ever felt in my life, and I’m really excited to see how that translates to performance.”

For more on Bellator 191, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.

MMAjunkie Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia, Brian “Goze” Garcia and Dan Tom. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.


Filed under: Bellator, News, Radio Highlight, UFC, Videos

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