Why Rory MacDonald and not Michael Page next? Bellator 179's Paul Daley explains

Paul Daley has long been among the best welterweight fighters in the world. He has a chance to legitimize himself in a whole new way this spring, though, when he clashes with former UFC title challenger Rory MacDonald in Bellator’s 179 main event.

Daley typically faces stiff competition when he enters the cage. The absolute best have been out of his reach for the better part of a decade, though, since throwing a post-fight sucker punch at Josh Koscheck at UFC 113 in May 2010. “Semtex” was subsequently banned from the UFC and then unable to fight any of the leading fight promotion’s top-ranked 170-pounders.

That changes on May 19. In the Bellator 179 headliner, Daley (39-14-2 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) fights MacDonald (18-4 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), the No. 4 fighter in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA welterweight rankings. The event takes place at The SSE Arena in London and airs on Spike.

Daley said he knows the type of opportunity that’s eluded him for the past several years has finally arrived and he intends to make the most of it.

“He’s a top-level guy; he’s been kept away from the likes of me because he was in the UFC,” Daley told MMAjunkie. “I’m happy now that he’s over here with Bellator. The fight’s going to be fantastic, and it’s going to be an entertaining one.

“He’s such a well-rounded guy I think I have to be prepared everywhere. The main thing I have to do is just be ready (mentally). If my mind’s right and things go well in fight week like it has in previous fights where I’ve performed well, then I’ll take care of business.”

Rory MacDonald

Coming off back-to-back losses against former UFC champ Robbie Lawler and current top contender Stephen Thompson, MacDonald signed with Bellator after he completed his UFC contract. “The Red King” will have been out of action almost 11 months by the time he makes his Bellator debut, but he said that time off was necessary to recovering from a broken nose.

Although Daley vs. MacDonald is a legitimately big fight for Bellator to host, it wasn’t the matchup at the forefront of many wish lists. Daley is coming off a memorable first-round knockout of Brennan Ward at Bellator 170 in January, and despite specifically naming MacDonald as his preferred next opponent, Daley was often asked about a showdown with fellow Brit Michael Page (12-0 MMA, 8-0 BMMA).

“Venom” scored a highlight-reel knockout of his own just two fights ago and has been aggressively angling for a bout with Daley over the past several weeks. He didn’t get it. Not at Bellator 179, anyway.

Daley said “MVP” is definitely on his hit list, but he preferred the matchup with MacDonald for now. Not only is the Canadian one of the elite in the division, but a victory over him will set Daley up for a rematch with current Bellator welterweight champ Douglas Lima (28-6 MMA, 10-2 BMMA).

In Daley’s mind, fighting Page at this point doesn’t carry the same type of reward as MacDonald, but he said the grudge matchup between Englishmen is inevitable.

“People ask about the ‘MVP’ fight since I’ve got to Bellator; it’s not a question that I’ve avoided,” Daley said. “There will be a time for it, and when the time for it (comes), it will be with greater ramifications. I think it’s a great fight. It’s not a throwaway fight, but ‘MVP,’ he doesn’t understand that yet.

“He’s a great promotor, but there’s also timing. There’s a time for the fight, and that time is not right now. There will be a time. I don’t duck a fight. And when the fight happens, I just hope he’s ready and hope he’s smart because it’s not going to be a joke.”

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