Rory MacDonald willing to test free-agent market if UFC doesn't pony up

It was assumed that Rory MacDonald’s extended absence from the UFC came as a result of his brutal war with Robbie Lawler back in August at UFC 189 last July.

But it appears that’s only partially true.

Although his injuries were extensive, MacDonald sought to get back into the cage against Hector Lombard at UFC Fight Night 84 in London this past February. But that fight never came to fruition. However, as MacDonald revealed on The MMA Hour, his absence had less to do with his health and more to do with behind the scenes contract negotiations that have yet to yield an extension for the 26-year-old welterweight who was minutes away from becoming a champion.

MacDonald said that his upcoming fight with Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson at UFC Fight Night 89 in June will be the last fight on his contract and he’s more than willing to test out free agency if a new deal hasn’t been ironed out by then. And with Bellator continuing to make a push with the signings of former UFC fighters Matt Mitrione, Josh Thomson, Josh Koscheck and Benson Henderson, there is a possibility that MacDonald could be fighting under a new promotional umbrella if the UFC doesn’t come correct.

"I want to make the most money I can. I want to get paid for what I bring to the table," MacDonald said. "I've sacrificed a lot to get to the top, to the world title. I really sacrificed, and I took a lot of chances. I did a lot of favors, I felt like, for the UFC and I don't think it got returned. So now it's all about making money, and whoever wants to pay me the most is where I'll go."

For a fighter of his caliber and being involved in one of the greatest MMA fights in recent memory on one of 2015’s biggest pay per views, MacDonald only earned a disclosed salary of $59,000 against Lawler. That was well behind Robbie Lawler’s disclosed salary of $150,000 before the win bonus of an additional $150,000. Ultimately, for what MacDonald feels he brings to the table, $59,000 just won’t cut it.

"The experience itself, the fight was great. I loved it. It was a great thing for me and my martial arts career," MacDonald said. "But, you know, a performance like that and everything I did leading up to it in my career with the UFC, I feel like I should be left a little bit more financially stable. I still make good money, but I still feel that I was worth more. That I brought more to the table than what I really got.”

MacDonald said that he plans to be more business savvy moving forward and isn’t looking to sell himself short, regardless of the opportunity. Not to mention that he’s expecting a new baby this summer.

For MacDonald, financial stability is for more important than simply fighting for the biggest MMA promotion in the world.

"I'd rather not go through [free agency],” MacDonald said. “I mean, I'd rather just agree on something with the UFC and move forward. But we'll see what happens. I'm very willing to do it though, if that means making more money.”