When it was announced that Rory MacDonald would take on legendary fighter B.J. Penn on the UFC on FOX 5 card, fans were ecstatic. There’s something about the idea of a high-level prospect challenging a former champion which grabs people’s attention unlike anything else in combat sports. It’s a tale as old as professional fighting which fans and media gravitate towards.
Whether it’s Rocky Marciano vs. Joe Louis, Larry Holmes vs. Muhammad Ali, Matt Hughes vs. Royce Gracie, or Rashad Evans vs. Chuck Liddell, it’s an idea which is thoroughly intriguing to audiences.
Of course, the bout rarely goes well for the legend as was the case with MacDonald-Penn. The Canadian phenom took to the centre of the cage and battered Penn from bell to bell, winning nearly every minute of the three round affair. Perhaps it was the ease with which Macdonald battered the former two-time world champion, or maybe his swagger. Either way, it was an eye-opening performance which left fans craving more.
When you combine the December performance with MacDonald’s battering of Che Mills in April, the choice of Rory MacDonald for MMASucka Canadian Fighter of the Year was academic.
