Rory MacDonald vs. Carlos Condit Likely For UFC 115 In Vancouver

Pretty much as soon as B.C.'s very own Rory MacDonald (10-0) finished dismantling Mike "The Joker" Guymon (11-3-1) via first-round armbar at Ultimate Fight Night 20 on January 11th, the speculation began about who "The Waterboy" would fight on the UFC's debut card in Vancouver. This morning, MMAMania.com claims to have the answer as they are reporting that Rory is likely to fight Carlos "The Natural Born Killer" Condit (24-5) at UFC 115, tentatively set for June, 12th.

Most Canadian MMA fans are already familiar with MacDonald's impressive resume, which includes ten finishes in as many fights, two KOTC title wins-- including a lightweight world title, and one octagon win, all by the tender age of twenty. MacDonald, who now fights at welterweight, is undeniably a stud with very few limits on his future in the sport of MMA. A bout against a fighter as accomplished as Condit would be, by far, the toughest test of Rory's career, but also a great way to demonstrate for fans where he really stands in the UFC's welterweight division. Furthermore, it would almost guarantee Rory a spot on the televised main card at UFC 115. For the longtime student at Kelowna's Toshido Martial Arts, that would be a dream come true.

Carlos Condit began his MMA career in 2002, but has already fought a virtual who's who of the MMA landscape. Like MacDonald, Condit began fighting as a professional while still in his teens and enjoyed immediate success. He won thirteen of his first fourteen fights with his only loss coming to well-respected Carlo Prater (24-7-1). Condit would later avenge that loss and dropped only three bouts in his second fourteen en route to earning a berth in the UFC.

At the time he entered the octagon, Condit was considered a serious threat to almost anyone in the division, having just successfully defended the WEC welterweight belt three consecutive times. He was matched with Martin "The Hitman" Kampmann (16-3) in a main event at April, 2009's Ultimate Fight Night 18, where Condit lost by split-decision. Despite clearly dropping the first round, Condit most recently scored a split-decision win of his own over another tough youngster in Jake Ellenburger (25-5) at Ultimate Fight Night 19.

A resident of New Mexico by birth, Condit currently trains at Jackson's Submission Fighting in Carlos' hometown of Albuquerque. His cage-name, "The Natural Born Killer," is fitting since he has scored finishes in all of his twenty-four career victories, except the last one, for a finishing rate of over %95 in wins. With a near even split between submissions and (T)KOs, Condit is a threat everywhere the fight might go.

Of course, Rory MacDonald is a finisher as well, and will look to make an enormous statement with a decisive win in this fight. The entire crowd at GM Place will be behind Rory, which certainly won't hurt his chances of announcing his arrival as the newest contender at 170lbs.

From the B.C. MMA Fan Vault: B.C. Bio Interview With Rory MacDonald