Bellator contenders (mostly) offer champ Rory MacDonald words of encouragement

Douglas Lima and A.J. McKee see a bit of themselves in Rory MacDonald’s situation.

The Bellator contenders expressed their concern for the welterweight champion and empathized with his recent doubts over his profession because of religion.

“I know how he feels,” said ex-champ Lima, who faces Michael Page at Bellator 221 on May 11 in Rosemont, Ill. “I’ve been through that as well. … I hope he fights. I hope he finishes this tournament.”

Featherweight standout McKee, who faces ex-champ Pat Curran, called MacDonald “a true warrior” and owned up to his own struggles.

“I’ve had some of those situations in my own self, going through depression and not feeling like my career is progressing,” McKee said. “But that’s part of the trials and tribulations of life, so you’ve just got to keep your head up and keep fighting.”

MacDonald, 29, appears to be taking that advice. Shortly after a conference call in support of Bellator 221, he announced he would face Neiman Gracie in the semifinals of the welterweight grand prix on June 14 at Bellator 222.

Not all were moved by MacDonald’s vulnerability. Gracie called it “bull(expletive)” at the Bellator 220 post-fight news conference this past Saturday. Michael Chandler, who defends his lightweight title against featherweight champ Patricio “Pitbull” Freire, was flippant.

“Unlike Rory MacDonald, I talk to my God every day, and he’s completely fine with me beating the hell out of people,” Chandler said.

For Page, MacDonald is just a reminder of extra suffering in the gym.

“Honestly, the only reason I want him to stay in the tournament is simply because he made all of us do five rounds instead of three, so he might as well stay in it for the whole journey,” Page said. “Because if he wasn’t in the tournament, it would have been a three-round tournament. If you’re going to make us do five rounds, don’t pull out of the tournament.”

Page questioned why MacDonald should be allowed to advance on a draw, though he agreed with Lima that the champ had done enough to defeat Fitch.

“Even if they have to bring in another judge to give a final decision, there should have been an actual winner,” Page said. “I don’t believe you should go through on a draw.”

MacDonald has coveted a fight with Page while also predicting he’ll rematch Lima in the finals.

For more on Bellator 221, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.