Rory MacDonald was showered with support by fellow fighters and media after announcing his MMA retirement on Sunday.
MacDonald (23-10-1), a former Bellator champion and UFC title challenger, had his 2022 PFL campaign brought to an end over the weekend when he was knocked out in the first round by Dilani Taylor in the playoff round in Wales.
After making his professional debut in 2005, the 33-year-old opted to call it a career after a rough stretch of results.
Given his impact on the sport, MacDonald’s announcement elicited quite a reaction from the MMA community.
MMA Junkie
Former Bellator champ and UFC title challenger Rory MacDonald confirms he's retired from MMA. 🙏
Full story: https://t.co/s2fbjDJcll pic.twitter.com/bwCDs2Ke0M
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) August 14, 2022
Donn Davis
On behalf of PFL, I want to thank The Red King (@rory_macdonald) for demonstrating during his two seasons with @PFLMMA the positive traits we all aspire to … heart, perseverance, seriousness of purpose, hard work, and class.
— Donn Davis (@DonnDavisPFL) August 14, 2022
John McCarthy
Congratulations @rory_macdonald on completing a fantastic career in MMA. You are a warrior in every sense of the word, but also the ultimate sportsman. You allowed me to be part of one of the greatest fights in the history of MMA and I will never be able to thank you enough 🙏
— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) August 15, 2022
Patrick Cote
Happy retirement to One of The best fighter ever @rory_macdonald 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/A3WZYOvNIq
— patrick cote (@patrick_cote) August 14, 2022
Aaron Bronsteter
Rory retiring feels like the end of an era for the Golden Age of Canadian mixed martial arts.
Looking back at UFC 129, you had GSP headlining a stadium, Hominick making Aldo look human for a round, Rory's dominant win over Nate Diaz, ten Canadians on the card. https://t.co/fwtR7n6sN8
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) August 14, 2022
Canadian MMA was on fire at the time. It was the first time a major event was sanctioned in Ontario, 55k+ in attendance (still a North American record), 800k buy rate.
I hope that another crop of Canadian mixed martial artists can help the sport rise to these same heights in 🇨🇦
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) August 14, 2022
And any list of best UFC fighter to never win a belt should include Rory, who was up 39-37 on all cards when he lost to Lawler in R5 in one of the greatest fights in MMA history. Neither fighter was the same after that epic war.
Happy Trails to Rory, a great man and warrior.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) August 14, 2022
Mike Bohn
Farewell to Rory MacDonald. One of the top-5 most important figures in Canadian MMA history.
Now, let's get the Robbie Lawler fight from UFC 189 in the Fight Wing of the 2023 UFC Hall of Fame class. https://t.co/X5OQ0J2Vn2
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) August 14, 2022
Cub Swanson
Great career 👏🏽
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) August 14, 2022
MMA History Today
Congrats to Rory MacDonald on his retirement from the sport.
He gave us the greatest fight in MMA history and always represented the sport with class.
Long live the Red King. pic.twitter.com/76BctUmVFg
— MMA History Today (@MMAHistoryToday) August 14, 2022
Mike Rhodes
Fair well to rory well done! Great Career https://t.co/nqXCKGPWEg
— Mike "Biggie" Rhodes (@TeamRocBiggie) August 14, 2022
Michael Bisping
Congrats on an amazing career @rory_macdonald https://t.co/NsijTIqddk
— michael (@bisping) August 14, 2022
Shaheen Al-Shatti
Is Rory MacDonald No. 2 on the Canadian MMA Mount Rushmore?
Bellator champ. One round away from being UFC champ. GOAT fight. Wins over Diaz, Penn, Ellenberger, Maia, Lima, Daley and prime Woodley. Feels like we lost some of what could've been but still a very impressive career.
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) August 14, 2022
Ali Abdelaziz
@rory_macdonald Thank you for all the amazing fight you have given us legand
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) August 14, 2022
Gilbert Burns
✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾 @rory_macdonald Thanks for all the moments! Enjoy your time with the family! https://t.co/fc2XUJfRVs
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) August 14, 2022
PFL
Thank You, Rory MacDonald‼️
🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/8zymIYqMdP— PFL (@PFLMMA) August 14, 2022
Sean O'Connell
Glad I had a chance to get to know the man a little bit and call his fights. Respect. https://t.co/WoJg1po3BQ
— Sean O'Connell (@realOCsports) August 14, 2022
Scott Coker
Happy retirement to former @BellatorMMA Champion @Rory_Macdonald. An absolute warrior. pic.twitter.com/5BqXCNht9C
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) August 14, 2022
Danny Segura
Congrats @rory_macdonald on an amazing career! As tough as they come. A true warrior. 👏 pic.twitter.com/v0Qr3XiNQ4
— Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) August 14, 2022
Ariel Helwani
Congrats on an amazing career, @rory_macdonald. True Canadian MMA legend who was always such a pleasure to watch and cover. Few can dream of having a run as long as he had. 17 years! Massive respect. For how he fought but more importantly how he conducted himself. Thank you. 🇨🇦
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) August 14, 2022
Jon Anik
Respect to the GREAT @rory_macdonald as he steps away from MMA competition. Tremendous legacy, brother! 🙏🏼
— Jon Anik (@Jon_Anik) August 14, 2022
Ken Hathaway
Thank you @rory_macdonald for a great career and so much entertainment over the years. All the best on whatever is next for you and your family 🙌 https://t.co/KLE7qLTppk
— Ken Hathaway (@kenshathaway) August 15, 2022
Dilano Taylor
An Honor to share the cage with you 🙏🏿 https://t.co/7v6sOMQdZJ
— ⚡️Postman⚡️🇯🇲 (@PostmanTaylor) August 14, 2022
Josh Thomson
@rory_macdonald some of my greatest fight memories are watching you fight. Enjoy your retirement with your family and loved ones. God Bless ! ❤️🙏🏽 https://t.co/mXinUsbZYq
— Josh Thomson (@THEREALPUNK) August 14, 2022
