Twitter reacts to draw in Bellator 220 headliner, Rory MacDonald’s post-fight comments

Rory MacDonald advanced to the semifinals of the Bellator welterweight grand prix at Bellator 220 on Saturday, but it didn’t come without some controversy.

MacDonald (20-5-1 MMA, 2-1-1 BMMA) fought Jon Fitch (32-7-2 MMA, 1-0-1 BMMA) to a majority draw in the opening-round matchup, and because of that he defends his title and moves to the next round. He’s scheduled to fight Neiman Gracie in June after winning the DAZN-streamed headliner at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., but MacDonald’s post-fight comments raised many questions about his future.

Check below for the top Twitter reactions to the MacDonald vs. Fitch draw at Bellator 220.

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We've arrived at the #Bellator220 main event and it's loaded with stakes. Welterweight champ @Rory_MacDonald puts his belt on the line vs. @JonFitchDotNet in the opening ground of the grand prix tournament.

Live results: https://t.co/1rbSb8zuJL pic.twitter.com/ATL5d0cDAQ

— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) April 28, 2019

#Bellator220 Welterweight Title Closing Odds:

Rory MacDonald (-445) vs. Jon Fitch (+355) @DAZN_USA @GoldieOnTV @JohnMcCarthyMMA @BellatorMMA @MMAOddsBreaker

— Nick Kalikas (@FightOdds) April 28, 2019

Gotta respect the fact that despite training at a place called American Kickboxing Academy for well over a decade, Jon Fitch never learned how to strike worth a plug nickel.

— Jed Meshew II (@JedKMeshew) April 28, 2019

Where did Rory's takedown defense go?

— Matheus Aquino (@MatheusDCAquino) April 28, 2019

Fitch did nothing in that round besides some pitter patter in top position

— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) April 28, 2019

That Rory is struggling with Fitch is pretty damning. I think he'll still win, but still…

— Logo Lillard (@mookiealexander) April 28, 2019

Jon Fitch is 41 and fighting his best fight in years. #Bellator220 #MMA #Bellator #BellatorMMA #DAZN

— Danny Acosta (@AcostaIsLegend) April 28, 2019

How did Fitch take that kick as if it was nothing? What a chin.

— Matheus Aquino (@MatheusDCAquino) April 28, 2019

Rory landed well enough in the first 2 minutes. 2 minutes on top with these tiny strikes & no passing isn't enough. #Bellator220

— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) April 28, 2019

Watching Fitch do this to a fighter like MacDonald, especially at this stage of his career, really illustrates how much better GSP was than almost everyone else.

Rory gets R5 I think because he hurt Fitch, but could go Jon's way. MacDonald has to treat it like it's even. https://t.co/21NvLu1xFz

— Josh Gross (@yay_yee) April 28, 2019

This MacDonald vs. Fitch fight is going to be extremely close on the scorecards. Did not see that one coming. #Bellator220

— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) April 28, 2019

48-47 Rory MacDonald @MMADecisions

— John Pollock (@iamjohnpollock) April 28, 2019

Draw!! #Bellator220

— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) April 28, 2019

Rory MacDonald vs. Jon Fitch ends in a draw. MacDonald retains his title and moves on the semifinals to fight Neiman Gracie. I'm dying. #Bellator220

— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) April 28, 2019

Lmao

— David Rickels (@TheCaveman316) April 28, 2019

Rory MacDonald is not speaking like a fighter that is ready to come back and fight in 7 weeks

— John Pollock (@iamjohnpollock) April 28, 2019

Rory MacDonald sounds very confused. Bellator has a champion who says the lord was speaking with him tonight and he may not have it anymore. He says he has to reevaluate fighting Gracie.

— Josh Gross (@yay_yee) April 28, 2019

Solid fight! Tough Rory should’ve won cuz of damage instead of a draw! #bellatorwgp

— Douglas Lima (@PhenomLima) April 28, 2019

Seriously though, Rory needs to step away. You can't let that guy fight in 6 weeks. Amasov vs Gracie IMO. Fitch can go finish his diary.

— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) April 28, 2019

Lol not necessary Rory, just let them punch you a few times then take them down and strangle them. https://t.co/TWa74BvVlH

— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) April 28, 2019

#Bellator220 results: @Rory_MacDonald vs. Jon Fitch is declared a majority draw (46-48, 47-47, 47-47) – to defend welterweight title, advance in grand prix https://t.co/1rbSb8zuJL

— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) April 28, 2019

#Bellator220 results: Rory MacDonald advances with controversial draw against Jon Fitch https://t.co/b4y4mrgbPu

— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) April 28, 2019

For complete coverage of Bellator 220, check out the MMA Events section of the site.