Report: Welterweight contender Rory MacDonald has UFC title shot revoked

Rory MacDonald

Less than two months after he was promised the next UFC welterweight title shot in his native Canada, it appears now that Rory MacDonald won’t get the next crack at the gold.

Following MacDonald’s (18-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) TKO of Tarec Saffiedine at UFC Fight Night 54 in October, UFC President Dana White announced the Canadian would face the winner of the Robbie Lawler (25-10 MMA, 10-4 UFC) vs. Johny Hendricks (16-3 MMA, 11-3 UFC) title fight that took place earlier this month at UFC 181.

Lawler emerged victorious in that matchup, edging Hendricks in a debated split decision to capture the 170-pound belt. The win evened Lawler’s series with Hendricks after he lost a unanimous decision to “Bigg Rigg” in March at UFC 171.

The competitiveness of the second matchup led White to open the door for a trilogy fight. While that fight is not yet guaranteed for Lawler’s first defense, Ariel Helwani reported on Wednesday’s edition of FOX Sports 1’s “UFC Tonight” that UFC officials informed MacDonald he won’t be the next challenger to the belt.

MacDonald isn’t the first UFC fighter to be told a title shot was in the immediate future only to later become a victim of changed plans. The decision would likely strike the ire of most, but MacDonald reportedly took the news in stride.

“It’s all good,” MacDonald said. “I’m just gonna light up whoever is next. Like always.”

For more on the UFC’s schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.