The Past and Future 05.18.09: Jason MacDonald

Posted by Robert Steele on 05.18.2009

This week a look at recently released from the UFC, Jason MacDonald. A look at his contributions to MMA, his career fights, and the nature of his release.

Jason "The Athlete" MacDonald has always had a mixed career. He is often the underdog, given his 21-12 MMA record (5-5 in the UFC), which sometimes presents question marks. But he also has notable wins and played spoiler to rising stars from TUF. After losing three of his last four fights, however, he has been given his release.



The Past:

Born in Nova Scotia, Canada, Jason MacDonald made his first MMA career footprints fighting out of Alberta. He fought primarily with Maximum Fighting Championship, earning notable wins over Shannon Rich and Bill Mahood. He showed himself as a submission specialist with his first 10 wins all coming by way of submission.

He attained a 10-1 record by May of 2004, his only loss coming from a rematch against Bill Mahood where he lost by second round TKO.

After an impressive early start, his career slumped. He lost to Matt Horwich, Jason Brilz, Marvin Eastman and "Mr. International" Shonie Carter. The slump may have been due to an elevation in talent. Three of the four fights went to decision, with the fight against Jason Brilz being a split. Matt Horwich was the only one of the four to win by stoppage, via an armbar submission. (As a side note, Shonie Carter indicated he would fight a rematch, but not in Quebec, since he claims to have lost a hat while he was in Montreal).

MacDonald bounced around promotions, but managed to win two fights in a row before losing to Kalib Starnes at National Fighting Challenge 5. Starnes managed to dominate from the top position for most of the fight. MacDonald survived a rear-naked choke attempt, but eventually succumbed to Starnes' carefully timed mounted strikes. MacDonald lost by TKO late in the first round.

He lost his next fight to Patrick Cote, earning Cote a shot in the UFC. But following this loss, MacDonald won his next four fights, all by different finishes, making his record 16 - 7 when he entered the UFC.

He was brought in, presumably, as an exciting tomato can who could put on a good show, but allow TUF 3 fighter Ed Herman a chance to display a win. The latter was not the case. MacDonald ended the fight with a quick first round triangle choke.

His following fight was similar. TUF 1 alumni, Chris Leben said he would knock MacDonald out in ten seconds. Leben tried his best, dominating the first rounds with his striking, and not allowing MacDonald to take the fight to the ground. In the second round, MacDonald got his takedown, worked effectively from Leben's guard and found a way to sink in the guillotine for victory.

High expectations followed these two wins. MacDonald was given the opportunity to fight Rich Franklin, and there was discussion even about a fight against Anderson Silva if he were able to pull off a win. A severe eye injury due to Franklin's strikes caused MacDonald's corner to throw in the towel after the third round.

After his loss to Franklin, there was a period of instability with a win over Rory Singer, a loss to Yushin Okami, a win over Joe Doerksen, a loss to Demian Maia, a win over Jason Lambert, and a loss to Wilson Gouveia. MacDonald had done just enough to keep a position within the company. His mediocre record was somewhat disregarded since his usually exciting fights produced three Submission of the Night victories.

Last April at UFC 97 in Montreal proved to be a disappointing experience for Jason. His early take-down attempt failed, and he ended up with Nate Quarry working from his half-guard. A vicious elbow opened him up, and the fight was eventually stopped due to a TKO.

The aftermath regarding Dana White's supposed affirmation that MacDonald's position within the company was safe, was taken out of context. White indicated that if he had the choice he would keep MacDonald employed because he enjoys the excitement he brings, but ultimately the decision would rest with Head of Talent Relations, Joe Silva.

MacDonald was released shortly after, but he was advised that a position within the company may open up if he can earn a few more wins with another promotion.

The Future

Since his release, MacDonald has mentioned in his blog fighting with Maxium Fighting Championship again, and has also indicated the possibility of fighting with Strikeforce.

Rumours swirled for a bit about MacDonald possibly fighting Jake Shields. But MacDonald has specifically mentioned fighting Scott Smith, who he said he can beat. It would follow in MacDonald's tradition of knocking off former TUF fighters. And it would also pit him yet again against another striker.

Some have indicated that MacDonald's downfall has been his attempts to try and make his fights exciting by keeping them standing and trading punches. This creates a dilemma. Is it better to be an exciting fighter who sometimes loses, or a dull fighter who consistently wins?

In the end, he can achieve both. His submissions can and have been exciting. As with his last fight with Quarry, the ground was his enemy. He knows that sometimes you gotta keep them guessing. Sometimes you gotta silence your critics.