Twitter reacts to Rory MacDonald’s title defense…

Twitter reacts to Rory MacDonald’s title defense against Neiman Gracie at Bellator 222

Rory MacDonald kept his Bellator welterweight title and advances to the finals of the welterweight grand prix on Friday when he defeated Neiman Gracie in the Bellator 222 headliner.

MacDonald (21-5-1 MMA, 3-1-1 BMMA) made a quick turnaround from his quarterfinal bout and managed to hand Gracie (9-1 MMA, 7-1 BMMA) his first career loss in the main event, which took place at Madison Square Garden in New York. With the victory, the Canadian will move on to the tournament final where he will rematch Douglas Lima for the belt and $1 million prize.

Check below for the top Twitter reactions to MacDonald’s victory over Gracie at Bellator 222.

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It's time for the #Bellator222 main event! Welterweight champ @Rory_MacDonald puts his belt on the line against @NeimanGracie in a welterweight grand prix semifinal. https://t.co/fYdlmAPCcZ pic.twitter.com/eqkf0B2CXK

— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) June 15, 2019

#Bellator222 Welterweight Title Closing Betting Odds:

Rory MacDonald (-205) vs. Neiman Gracie (+175)

💵 Live now -> @DAZN_USA, @mauroranallo @JohnMcCarthyMMA @JayGlazer @BellatorMMA @MMAOddsBreaker

— Nick Kalikas (@FightOdds) June 15, 2019

Rory… Jesus wants violence!

— Brian Kelleher (@brianboom135) June 15, 2019

Opening round between MacDonald and Gracie has been a feeling out process. #Bellator222

— Sherdog by Mandatory (@sherdogdotcom) June 15, 2019

Roy McDonald is so technical and smooth on the feet. One of cleanest jabs in MMA !

— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) June 15, 2019

I miss watching Rory fight #Bellator222

— Mike Jackson, Esq. (@TheTruthJackson) June 15, 2019

Great stuff here in the second. A slick takedown by Gracie into a kneebar attempt that was perfectly defended. High level work.

— Josh Gross (@yay_yee) June 15, 2019

That didn’t look healthy for the ol knee for Rory 😬 #bellator

— Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) June 15, 2019

Pretty respectable defensive guard from Gracie. MacDonald landed a few good shots, but mobile hips, collar ties and positional understanding kept him mostly safe.

— Luke Thomas (@lthomasnews) June 15, 2019

Rory is so talented. He may one of the top ten skilled combatants of his era. He’s good at everything

— Steven Wright (@steventhewarman) June 15, 2019

Gracie needs a solid adjustment plan to attempt to win this fight.

— Bobby Razak (@bobbyrazak) June 15, 2019

Rory's class is shining through, and he's 100% in this fight. You can see the difference in his demeanor. Excellent sequences in this contest from both fighters, including a really beautiful armbar attempt by Neiman just now that was defended. MSG is clapping for this.

— Josh Gross (@yay_yee) June 15, 2019

I got Rory winning. Now that they are sweaty I don’t think Gracie can sub him. What you think?

— Jon Fitch 🐻🦍🐲 (@jonfitchdotnet) June 15, 2019

We head to the last round. Neiman Gracie is likely going to need a finish to become the new champion#Bellator222

— Cageside Press (@Cagesidepress) June 15, 2019

Every round so far for Rory. He’s fighting a clean, sharp, disciplined fight against an opponent who is game, but only world class at one thing. Just what Rory has needed so far

— Jimmy Smith (@jimmysmithmma) June 15, 2019