In 2016, a former UFC title was separated with the promotion before retired six years later.
Given that he was still one of the best welter weights in the world, Rory MacDonald's decision was not to sign up again at the UFC a huge shock for fans.
He participated 12 times in Bellator and the PFL, but in 2023 MacDonald became a UFC Hall of Famer when his classic fight with Robbie Lawler was admitted to the fighting wing.
The pension of 'Red King' seemed inevitably by the time he made the call to hang the gloves in 2022.
MacDonald spoke about it no longer that the drive had to compete when he was recently asked for a potential comeback during a Q&A event on UFC 315, but his feelings have changed quickly.
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Rory MacDonald says he regrets that he is not attending the UFC Hall of Fame ceremony, but it was' too fresh 'at the time'
UFC fans were both incredibly happy and surprised to see Rory MacDonald appear at the recent event of the UFC in Montreal in last May.
During a performance on the Ariel Helwani show, the former Welterweight Challenger said that this was the first time that he had been at a UFC event in June 2016 since his fight with Stephen Thompson.
Although 'Red King' claims that things were always professional between him and the UFC, he caused some controversy for that fight by saying that he would explore a free agency instead of immediately signing again with the promotion.
During the interview, MacDonald revealed why in 2023 he did not attend his UFC Hall of Fame induction and stated that he was not in the right headroom at that time to think about his career.
“It was too fresh. It was immediately after I retired and I was a bit of a baby, I think … I felt like a loser at the time. I lost that fight. What am I going to go and accepting a price for losing a fight? So I don't know, I think I was just a little, it was just fresh. The pension was fresh.”
He further said that he now regrets this decision, but the timing was just not good for him.
“Yes, I think I should have done that. I think it would have been nice to be next to Robbie. We both dug in deeply. I think it would have been the right one to look back.”
Rory MacDonald offers an update on a potential MMA referee after three years away from the sport
When Rory MacDonald retired after his last PFL fight in 2022, he not only took a step back from the sport, he completely disappeared.
'Red King' meant what he said about no more to compete while speaking in May, but his children who participate in martial arts have again indicated his motivation.
MacDonald said that although he does not know if this will be sure that he will return at the age of 36, he is willing to see where this path brings him.
“I don't know, but I am back in the gym full -time. It has me again in the gym that loves training, so I don't know what it will lead, but I enjoy my time in martial arts again, it feels good … The fire is always there, it is always a part of me.