Rory Joseph MacDonald (born July 22, 1989) is a Canadian mixed martial artist currently competing in Bellator MMA, where he is the current Bellator Welterweight World Champion. Having been a professional competitor since 2005, he is a former UFC top contender who obtained an overall record of (9-4) with the promotion, and also a former King of the Cage Lightweight Champion.
MacDonald is of Scottish, Irish and Norwegian descent. He started his training with David Lea at the age of 14 and his fight team Toshido Fighting Arts Academy out of Kelowna, B.C. MacDonald made his professional debut at the age of sixteen, winning against Terry Thiara, at an Extreme Fighting Challenge event. He moved to Montreal and joined Tristar Gym, home of former UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre, after his loss to Carlos Condit.
He then moved to 2–0, by beating Ken Tran in his King of the Cage (KOTC) debut. He won a fight in Rumble in the Cage and then signed exclusively with King of the Cage. He won two fights after signing and was then rewarded with a shot at the KOTC Canadian Lightweight title, against Kajan Johnson, which MacDonald won. MacDonald then was awarded a shot at the King of the Cage Lightweight Championship, against Clay French, MacDonald knocked him out in the second round. After the fight MacDonald moved up to welterweight and defeated Elmer Waterhen by first round armbar.