Rory McDonald, one of the UFC's rising stars may have taken a step backward this past weekend despite scoring a victory over a mouthy opponent, Jake Ellenberger.
MacDonald is a young, undefeated, power-hitting star in the making for White and his growing brand, but the UFC president was livid following an often-timid bout between two fighters billed as brawlers.
"That fight sucked so bad," White said to reporters. "Tonight is the night that everyone was excited for," White said. "If you're Rory, and you're that good, and you're that talented, you impose your will on him, and you show the world, not only do I belong in the top five, I should fight Georges St-Pierre. He should have people screaming for him to fight Georges St-Pierre. That's how it all works."
MacDonald disagreed with White's assessment, as well as the crowd's. The two combatants were booed quite a bit, but MacDonald blamed Ellenberger's refusal to make the fight for the limited action.
"I did what I was supposed to do," said MacDonald. "I kept up my end. He's a counterpuncher and a very explosive one. I took my opportunities, and he wasn't coming in at the right times and just staying back. He wasn't engaging. I was playing my angles and waiting for my opportunities like I always do. He's a smart fighter. I felt I did the right thing. I think I needed a few more minutes and I would have had the finish."
White vehemently countered that, noting that MacDonald hasn't fallen out of favor, but did not improve his standing in the company with his showing.
"Don't come in and say my fight was great, it was tactical and this and that," White said. "And I belong in the top 10 and talk this [expletive] and don't go in there and try to put him away. I don't think he performed, I don't think he did anything. ... I don't think he moves down the ladder, but do you think anyone is screaming to see him fight again?"
Ellenberger acknowledged his poor performance after the loss, saying:
"You know, I'm more disappointed in myself. It's been, it wasn't my night. I didn't have a good night and I didn't pull the trigger. I'm going to leave it like that."
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