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Report: Rory MacDonald finalizing deal with Bellator

Free agent welterweight Rory MacDonald appears to have finally made a decision on his future, and it's not with the UFC.

According to reports, Canada's most popular mixed martial artist not named Georges St-Pierre is finalizing a deal with Bellator after the UFC declined to match their offer sheet.

While nothing has been made official, the UFC all but confirmed the deal by removing the Canadian from its fighter rankings page where he was listed as the No. 3 welterweight.

Stephen Thompson, right, kicks to the body of Rory MacDonald during UFC welterweight bout in Ottawa on Saturday June 18, 2016. Thompson won a unanimous decision over MacDonald in a battle of top welterweight contenders at UFC Fight Night 89 Saturday night. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand
Stephen Thompson, right, kicks to the body of Rory MacDonald during UFC welterweight bout in Ottawa on Saturday June 18, 2016. Thompson won a unanimous decision over MacDonald in a battle of top welterweight contenders at UFC Fight Night 89 Saturday night. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand

The 27-year-old banked on himself heading into the final fight of his UFC contract expecting to win in spectacular fashion and forcing the promotion's hand in offering a more lucrative deal. But in the end, the "Red King" came up short against Stephen Thompson at UFC Fight Night 89 in Ottawa back on June 18.

This isn't necessarily a loss for MacDonald. Quite the opposite, actuallly.

He's already made a name for himself fighting in the best promotion, against some of the best fighters like Robbie Lawler, Tyron Woodley, Nate Diaz and Carlos Condit. At this point, it's all about the money for the new family man.

Fighters voicing their displeasure about salaries is nothing new and neither is their disdain for the UFC's deal with Reebok, which limits them from other sponsorship deals. While neither parties have confirmed, it's safe to say that MacDonald will be making more money signing with Bellator and has the potential to make even more in sponsorship deals than through the UFC-Reebok partnership.

Let's also not forget, at 27, MacDonald is relatively young. There's nothing to suggest he can't make his money now while racking up a few more impressive wins before rejoining the UFC. If Jaromir Jagr can walk away from the greatest hockey league for the KHL, only to return three years later to prove that he's still got it, why can't MacDonald?

OK. That's a completely different sport.

But how about Lawler, Nick Diaz, Anthony Johnson or Andrei Arlovski? They've all gone on to find success in other promotions before making their way back to the UFC.

If they can't afford to match your offer sheet now, make them match it later by being the best fighter not in the UFC. Or not. Bellator President Scott Coker won't mind as he's shown a penchant for turning UFC fighters into ex-UFC fighters. Just ask Ben Henderson, Josh Thomson, Matt Mitrione, Rampage Jackson or Tito Ortiz.