Rory MacDonald's next fight request for a title shot has been granted by UFC president Dana White, as "Ares" gets the GSP treatment of having the opportunity to fight in front of his home crowd of Canada.
Earlier this week, the fighter's trainer Firas Zahabi declared that Rory MacDonald's next fight should be no less than a title shot, given his last performance at UFC Fight Night this weekend.
"He finished with an incredible left hook that I think would've knocked out an elephant if it'd hit an elephant," Zahabi said in an interview with MMA Fighting. "I think people believe now that it would be an exciting match against whoever's champion in the spring."
Zahabi also noted that given the current landscape of the UFC's welterweight division and the position MacDonald is currently in, it is no doubt that he is the next in line for a crack at the 170-pound belt.
"How many more fights are on the table?" Zahabi added. "If you look at the top-10, who else would be eligible? Everybody's pretty much booked or [MacDonald] has beat. I don't see who's really out there who makes sense. I think the only thing that makes sense now is the winner of Hendricks and Lawler. I can't think of anybody else."
Meanwhile, MacDonald himself tried to state his case by posting a tweet of him holding a sign saying "Title Shot or Bust", and addressed it to Dana White.
It seems like "Ares'" request was made known to the UFC president, as he announced that Rory MacDonald's next fight would be for the welterweight title.
"It's pretty impossible to deny Rory that, whoever comes out of that Hendricks-Lawler fight, he's the next guy in line," White said in an interview with the Canadian Press.
White also announced that MacDonald will be having the opportunity to fight for the title in his home country of Canada, just like how his mentor, former champion Georges St-Pierre did during his days as an active fighter.
"[The title fight] absolutely, positively, without a doubt, be in Canada," White added. "He's next in line and that fight will be in Canada."
