RORY MACDONALD has announced his retirement from MMA after being knocked out in Wales.
The former UFC and Bellator welterweight was beaten in round one by Dilano Taylor following a brutal right hand.
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It saw MacDonald knocked out of the Professional Fighters League in the semi-final stage.
And afterwards, the Canadian legend took to Instagram to announce he was walking away from the sport.
MacDonald, 33, posted: “My time has come to put the gloves down for good.
“I’m so thankful for this sport and every person I’ve been able to meet along the way.
“I started this sport as a 14 yr old kid, I still remember my first day and knowing this is what I wanna spend my life doing.
“The passion for martial arts and becoming a pro mma fighter gave me hope and a way to a better life!
“And I’m so thankful to god for putting that gym toshido mma in kelowna in my path.
“It truly changed the direction of my life and saved me!”
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MacDonald started his career fighting regionally around Canada but signed for the UFC in 2010.
He famously challenged for the title in 2015 against Robbie Lawler but lost in a fight regarded one of the best of all time.
MacDonald then moved to rivals Bellator and in 2018 won the welterweight title.
After four years, he then switched to PFL, MMA’s only league format which consists of qualification and knockout rounds.
This year, MacDonald reached the semi-final and was one win away from challenging for the $1million prize and title belt.
But his KO defeat to American Taylor, 25, instead spelled the end to a storied career.
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