Jason MacDonald: 'My contract has been terminated'

by Jesse Holland on May 4, 2009 11:58 PM EDT

Quoteworthy:

I got my walking papers from the UFC. I received an e-mail Saturday from the UFC, from their legal department, saying "my services were no longer needed" and "my contract has been terminated." It was one of those form letters and at the bottom it said "this is in large part due to your loss in the UFC." I’m obviously very disappointed. But I’m not at all angry with the UFC. I’m well aware of the fact that I’m paid to perform. And the reality is three of the past four fights, I’ve lost. I do my best to put on good fights but I put on a horrible performance against (Nate) Quarry. Had I gone out there and had a three-round war with him and had it been extremely exciting, I don’t think I’d be in this position. But probably the most disappointing thing is not only that I was let go, but how poorly I performed that night, in Canada, in front of all my Canadian fans. That makes it more bitter for me. But I will always be an optimist. There’s no doubt in my mind I can get myself back into the UFC. So I’ll just go out there and put on some exciting fights, get some wins and get myself back into the UFC.

Former UFC middleweight Jason MacDonald (21-12) confirms his release from Zuffa after nearly a three year career inside the Octagon. "The Athlete" was halfway through a four-fight contract signed last September and even had the chance to be immortalized courtesy of a Round 5 action figure. Unfortunately MacDonald had been inconsistent during his tenure with the UFC, going 5-5 and recently losing two straight -- including a dreadful performance against Nate Quarry at UFC 97 back on April 18. The Canadian saw his share of defeats and was gracious in each one -- including today's issued courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.

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DUDE, learn how to strike and how to defend yourself. You eat waaaayyyyy too many punches!!!!!

I liked watching this guy fight at first but eventually it became a chore any time he fought a good striker he couldn’t take down. He’d rush in and get caught and beaten to a pulp on the floor. ugh. I hope he makes it back with a revised game though.

by Fidel Cashflow on May 5, 2009 12:01 AM EDT reply actions

His game hasn’t changed since he has been in the UFC so I doubt it.

by subwayy2sallyy on May 5, 2009 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions

Ofcourse his game hasnt changed he JUST left the UFC!!

by NM on May 5, 2009 12:11 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m not sure,to still wanted my collectible now!

by Alpha Male 360 on May 5, 2009 12:18 AM EDT up reply actions

He should go rip it up at MFC, TKO or hell even strikeforce. He can use his UFC veteran status to get paid at least.

by NameNotRequired on May 5, 2009 12:32 AM EDT up reply actions

This isn’t a surprise, but your right NNR he has options and could probably get paid more.

by DSmith on May 5, 2009 2:15 AM EDT up reply actions

He needs to be come a tougher person. THats what holds his career bacfk. Problem is I dont know if Toughness can be Taught.

Thats why I have been calling him “THe Talented Fairy” for years now…He has the skills, but he is just SOFT!!!

by john on May 5, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions

THe CROW has also been cut by the UFC!

by john on May 5, 2009 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions

John, that may be one of the dumbest things that I’ve ever seen you write. I’m not here to flame you, but have you been drinking or dipped too far into your little green bag? Did you see the Franklin or the Maia fight? It’s not about toughness. It’s hard to soar with the eagles when you are surrounded by turkey’s. J-Mac, get a new camp.

by Freddy on May 5, 2009 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions

hahahaha I like your last comment! What camp does he train at anyway?

Whats so dumb about what I said? He lacks toughness! He needs to become more Physical! I think he has all the skills in the world, but just lacks toughness…am I really that far off?

by john on May 5, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

He trains in Alberta. We, as Canadians are by nature tough. Hockey, Lacrosse….curling.

He fought like a champ in both the Maia and the Franklin fight. I see the top level guys, Florian, GSP, Sanchez, Stevenson all going to different camps to expand what they know. I think that J-Mac could make a change and add more to his game.

by Freddy on May 5, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions

tHanks for the Info. I agree, Canadians are naturally a tough people….I just dont think this Canadian is very tough!

Some fighters were tough, before they started training. No waqy in hell that before he started training, J-mac was a tough guy. He was probably a wimp that got beat up and decided to start training.

Like I said, I think his problem is toughness. THe skills are in place to be a good fighter, but he needs to get tougher. I Personally think he quit in the rich franklin fight, AND facing a grappler isnt exactly a way of showing your toughness.

for example: I think a guy like cote would destroy him, soley based on toughness alone!

I dont think toughness can be taught. YOu either got it or you dont!

by john on May 5, 2009 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Oh crap! Mania I mentioned Cote! please erase my post before that mentally unstable dude from yesterday, starts posting stuff about cote in every single thread! lol

by john on May 5, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Lol john! That dude was a trip. So Loiseau got cut again? That sucks. Kang got 2 chances I wish they would have done the same for David.

by DSmith on May 5, 2009 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions

dont get me wrong.,…I used to love watching the crow fight, but It doesnt really matter how many chances Dana gives him…I honestly believe he is Broken Mentally…which is a damn shame!

I will never forget his spinning back kick followed by the flying KO over McCarthy! That was one of the best Ko’s in the history of the sport!

I bet you THe Crow is a MONSTER in training. He probably destroys people in training, but Being mentally broken doesnt allow him to perform at the best of his abilities on the big stage!

what a shame!

by john on May 5, 2009 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions

atleast kang was winning his first fight before he got caught, the crow just got dominated

by Clinton Jackson (formerly Jared) on May 5, 2009 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Pure class from this guy,no bickering and excuses I like that in Fighter’s!!

I hope he does get some wins under his belt and maybe one day we will see him back in there!!

by NM on May 5, 2009 12:10 AM EDT reply actions

Agreed.

I really like McDonald I hope he gets some tune up fights and I’m sure we’ll see him in the UFC again.

by ShaiZ on May 5, 2009 2:30 AM EDT up reply actions

I also would have to agree and show him respect for taking it like a man! NO excuses…just gonna try to work his way back up…I NEVER hate on that type of approach!

by john on May 5, 2009 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed. Classy guy. I like watching him fight, but I think this is probably good for him n the long run. He should go away and work on his striking and game-planning, get a few good wins/paychecks in Strikeforce, then come back a better fighter.

by BritishBulldog on May 5, 2009 6:26 AM EDT up reply actions

He seems to have some talent. Maybe he needs to get into a new camp. His familly is all in Alberta, so I understand. I’m sure there are some great training opportunities in Alberta, but I don’t think that there are any “Elite” level camps.

by Freddy on May 5, 2009 12:12 AM EDT reply actions

He should train with Team Quest in Oregon.

by Pat on May 5, 2009 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions

wow, to get terminated by email? thats cold. couldnt someone from the ufc at least called this guy. hes given you some awesome fights. im sorry but thats just not right. yes he’s lost to upper level talent like franklin, maia and goviea but he’s also given you some really good fights against herman, leben and singer.
I wish mcdonals nothing but the best, dont be surprised to see him land in strikeforce. this guy has had 10 ufc fites and he’s well known by mma fans.

by bobby o'shea on May 5, 2009 12:12 AM EDT reply actions

He’s a tough dude only problem is he takes way more than he gives the UFC has to much talent for his skills I like his attitude though always a good fight even though he’s on the losing end. Strikeforce should be happy having him though he might even crack the top five there?

by Beaver on May 5, 2009 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions

That might be a good catch for strikeforce. though i think i saw something about being submitted by patrick cote on his record… i don’t know about top 5 then…

by Fidel Cashflow on May 5, 2009 12:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Ya UFC are jerks for terminating him in the way they did. One thing Macdonald did that put a smile on my face is put leben to sleep, that was great. But ya the guy can’t strike to save his life, a 50/50 record in 10 fights is pretty bad.

by nathan on May 5, 2009 12:55 AM EDT reply actions

its not really all that bad lookin at who he lost to, he 5 ufc losses are to rich franklin former ufc middleweight champ, yushin okami who many consider the second best middle weight in the world, Demian Maia a top contender who is undefeated in the ufc and 1 win away from a title shot, wilson gouvieia who probably with a win over nate would have been given a title shot, and nate quarry who is 6-2 in the ufc with his only losses to franklin and maia.

by matt on May 5, 2009 2:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Great point Matt. His only losses have been to top contenders. I would keep McDonald around as a gate keeper. He definitely gave Maia a run for his money. Maybe have him fight Houston Alexander?

by c-war on May 5, 2009 2:39 AM EDT up reply actions

that fight would be over in all of a minute. houston should only fight b-level strikers or vera.

by eightyproof on May 5, 2009 5:50 AM EDT up reply actions

weight class? mw vs lhw ?

by Clinton Jackson (formerly Jared) on May 5, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions

thx ufc! i really like how the ufc straight up fires ppl, regardless how long they’ve been with the company

it really helps make ufc the elite mma organization, having only the best fight the best

by the rabbit on May 5, 2009 1:23 AM EDT reply actions

Fired via e-mail? Gut-less. Didn’t Dana White say something about how win or lose, Macdonald always puts on a great fight and thats why the UFC was keeping him or some such notion? I think that was during the post-UFC 97 press conference or in an interview after that event.

by Belisarius on May 5, 2009 1:35 AM EDT reply actions

yeah i think your right i remember reading about that.

by matt on May 5, 2009 2:25 AM EDT up reply actions

I can understand why it would be an email for legal reasons. Fighters can be located or training in any city. A phone call might be nice if you have a personal relationship, but to keep things legal you probably want to fedex/mail/email someone so there is no disputing terms/dates/etc.

by izx on May 5, 2009 2:49 AM EDT up reply actions

wow why the hell would they get rid of him? He is good i like his fights and style.

by Tony on May 5, 2009 2:13 AM EDT reply actions

D White did say that he always puts on exciting fights, but didn’t exactly say he wouldn’t cut him.

by yadigg on May 5, 2009 2:41 AM EDT reply actions

I’ve never been a fan of MacDonald at all, but he’s been taking this cut really humbly and respectfully – an attitude that he seemed to lack in all his interviews. I respect that and wish him well.

by Tim on May 5, 2009 3:23 AM EDT reply actions

I don’t mind MacDonald at all. I would rather watch him fight than Clay Guida any day of the week. Another reason for me to not want the UFC to be the only MMA organization is so that good fighters like MacDonald can get chance to build up their win record to put him back on track. If the UFC was the only organization and a descent fighter gets cut because of a couple of bad performances, what chance would he have to improve and get himself a good winning streak if there was no place else to go. I wish him all the best.

by Ade on May 5, 2009 5:21 AM EDT reply actions

All I have to say is that picture of Dana is priceless.

by Kilby on May 5, 2009 5:53 AM EDT reply actions

Affliction, please sign Jason MacDonald to fight Vitor Belfort for the next(and probably last) event. I am sure he would be hansomely paid, and then could finish up with Strikeforce, or MFC if he wants to stay close to home.

by RockhardMMA on May 5, 2009 6:24 AM EDT reply actions

I’m not a big J-Mac fan but he has put on some exciting fights and beaten decent fighters. I’m not suprised that he was cut, I had a feeling it was going to happen after the abysmal performance against Nate Quarry, but its a shame as he’s a good grappler and always gives a good show.

I’m sure if he refines his striking and picks up a few wins on other shows he’ll be invited back. He’d be a good signing for Strikeforce or Affliction as he has name value and his fights are fun to watch, win or lose.

I was also impressed with his comments on his release, its smart not to whine and complain about the UFC when you get cut but rather just get on with it as that will only help your chances of getting back into the top MMA promotion in the world.

by David W-S on May 5, 2009 7:08 AM EDT reply actions

Actually, given his talent: Mac may be able to earn more money outside the ufc. He’s still a top level fighter and he’s beat some big names. I’ve never seen him in a boring fight.

by Bobby on May 5, 2009 7:58 AM EDT reply actions

whats the point in having all the these guys in the ufc and then having them cut. Alot of the dude in the game or no longer with the ufc its daft.

by ruan-fiy on May 5, 2009 8:05 AM EDT reply actions

Dana, word for word, said that “Jason MacDonald would not be cut. He comes to fight and we like guys like that” at the UFC 97 post fight press conference.

I know it was in Canada and he had to save face – but that is bullshit.

by Mixed Martial Adam on May 5, 2009 8:56 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah, Dana with a total DICK move!

by markie on May 5, 2009 10:41 AM EDT reply actions

I like this guy. Hopefully get some wins and get back in the UFC.

by UK_Chris on May 5, 2009 12:46 PM EDT reply actions

jason will be back the best thing for him to do is get a good training camp and work on his standup he is a tough guy look at the fight with Franklin and the war with Maia Dana’s a Dick

by plum crazy on May 5, 2009 4:12 PM EDT reply actions

McDonald is one of my favorite fighters. I hope he gets back to the UFC soon. Win or lose, his fights are always fun to watch. The Leben and Maia fights were awesome.

by RedRavi7 on May 5, 2009 6:29 PM EDT reply actions