McDonald Avoids The Pressure Of Becoming World Champ

By FIGHTSPORTS Jul 13, 2018 Last updated Jul 13, 2018

With a win tonight at Bellator 202, Michael McDonald gets one step closer to a bantamweight title shot. Yet, McDonald doesn’t know if he wants the lifestyle of a world champion.

“Its in the back of my mind, but its not something I think about”, McDonald told FIGHT SPORTS.

“I’ve had title shots in the UFC before, but I don’t know what that entails to be the champion of an organization like this. I don’t know what the media requirements would be, I don’t know what the lifestyle requirements would be… If it comes it comes, I could imagine that they’ll be some perks, but they’ll be some frustrations.”

The California native is preparing for his second fight inside the Bellator cage, facing off against Eduardo Dantas. McDonald said he was grateful for Bellator’s focus on fighting, instead of how it was at the UFC.

“The emphasis (at the UFC) was more on the show, than on the fight… wanting some drama, which makes me feel uncomfortable,” claimed McDonald, who’s been fighting as a pro since he was 16 years old.

“People want to see drama… I am not a fan of that in MMA, and I’m unwilling to do it.”

McDonald feels that fighters lacked certain freedom’s in the UFC, whether it be regarding walkout music, media obligations, or how they handled fight hype.

“Its a preference, some people like it, I personally don’t,” said the one half of Bellator 202’s co-headlining fight.”

“I understand that I could make a lot more money if I do, if I had a social media presence more than I do, and I am unwilling to do it… I’m not willing to be a character.”

Michael McDonald faces off against Eduardo Dantas in the co-main event of Bellator 202 from the Winstar Resort and Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma.