If Rory MacDonald is to capture his second championship in a major mixed martial arts promotion, he will first have to end the unbeaten run of a surging contender.
MacDonald, a former Bellator MMA titleholder, faces Russian prospect Magomed Umalatov in a featured Professional Fighters League welterweight playoff bout atop PFL 8 on Saturday at Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, Wales. The card marks the promotion’s maiden voyage to the United Kingdom and features semifinal matchups at welterweight and heavyweight. With Ray Cooper III and Bruno Cappelozza out of the mix this year, new champions are guaranteed in both weight classes, so intrigue abounds.