It’s been a good week for Bellator and they’ve capped it out by signing up former UFC bantamweight title contender Michael ‘Mayday’ McDonald.
McDonald was granted his release from his UFC contract within the last week despite still having multiple fights left on his deal after his relationship with the promotion soured over his financial situation.
Some eyebrows were raised at this as, despite having suffered some significant injury woes that had kept him out of action for the entirety of 2014 and 2015, the 26-year-old was still considered to be a significant player in the UFC’s 135lb division.
Back in early 2013, McDonald earned himself a shot at the interim title held by Renan Barao after compiling an impressive 15-1 career record, but he came up short that night after being tapped out in the fourth round.
Since then he’s picked up wins over Brad Pickett and Masanori Kanehara, but also been submitted by Urijah Faber and most recently knocked by John Lineker.
The UFC’s loss is Bellator’s gain and the heavy-handed McDonald will be a welcome addition to their bantamweight roster, where Eduardo Dantas currently reigns as champion, with the likes of Joe Warren, Marcos Galvao and Darrion Caldwell being among the other key players in their ranks.
