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SEATTLE, WA - JULY 27: Rory MacDonald (left) and Jake Ellenberger (right) face off in their welterweight bout during the UFC on FOX event at Key Arena on July 27, 2013 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rory MacDonald; Jake Ellenberger

Rory MacDonald

TRAINING: MMA sparring session followed by a technical session with my coach Firas Zahabi

When and why did you start training for fighting? I have always enjoyed fighting since I was really little, and I have always watched boxing and MMA since I was a kid. So when I discovered a MMA gym in the town I live in (Kelowna BC) I went there and never left and eventually it evolved into me becoming a pro fighter.

What ranks and titles have you held? I won the King of the Cage Canadian lightweight championship at the age of 18. At 19 I became the King of the Cage world lightweight champion.

Do you have any heroes? A guy I have looked up to in the sport of MMA is my friend Georges St-Pierre.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? To fight in the UFC is the biggest accomplishment I have every achieved. Ever since I had first seen it on TV when I was six years old I have always wanted to compete in the UFC, and I’m finally here, so it’s a dream come true.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? No

What was your job before you started fighting? Laboring jobs for the most part. I jumped from job to job a lot of the time because I hate work. Basically I only like fighting.

Favorite grappling technique: Rear naked choke

Favorite striking technique: Punch to the face