Rory MacDonald 'hungry' and 'motivated' after 'embarrassing' UFC 167 performance, says Robbie Lawler loss was a 'good thing'

Fresh of his unanimous decision loss to longtime mixed martial arts (MMA) veteran Robbie Lawler at UFC 167, Rory MacDonald says the "motivation" and "hunger" to fight is stronger than ever.

Why is that important?

According to "Ares," prior to his fight against "Ruthless" on Nov. 16, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada, the young Canadian wasn't having much fun inside the Octagon, something he was used to doing in the past. In fact, the "hunger" was missing in his previous three fights against the aforementioned Lawler, as well as against Jake Ellenberger and B.J. Penn.

MacDonald broke it down during a recent appearance on "The MMA Hour:"

"At the end of the day, walking out of the Octagon not getting my hand raised was a good thing for me. In the locker room, when I was showering, I was thinking to myself, I really needed to get into a fight like that and came up short. I think it will be good for my next fight and years to come. I needed it, I felt like my last two fights, I came into the Octagon with a different approach. I didn't enjoy them, I didn't walk out of the cage feeling that I had fun. Usually, win or lose, I always enjoys my fights, I always enjoy my time fighting. This year, I didn't enjoy fighting. I think it's a collection of things leading up to it. I think my mental state, they way I'm thinking leading up to fights. I have been more interested after the fight rather than getting into the fight. I needed to lose and I need to get into a hard fight, I'm motivated more than ever now, I'm very hungry. I feel like I have that fire back."

Furthermore, Rory says after watching the fight (which you can do here), he was "embarrassed" with himself, saying it didn't feel like it was him he was watching, something that "pissed off" the 24 year old.

The good news is that he will have little time to dwell on having his five-fight win streak snapped because the young welterweight revealed he already has a fight in the works for 2014, but wouldn't reveal any details, only that his opponent "motivated" him.

Whoever it is, he will have his hands full as they will be facing a rejuvenated fighter who will be looking to erase the memory of an "embarrassing" performance and looking to get back on the title track.

Care to venture any guesses as to Rory's next foe is?