Bellator's Scott Coker interested in soon-to-be free agent Rory MacDonald

Top Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweight contender Rory MacDonald has gone on record to state that when the time comes to test free agency, he will sign with the promotion that is willing to show him the money.

And that time will be here before we know it, as "Red King's" UFC contract is set to expire following his fight against Stephen Thompson at UFC Fight Night 89 on June 19, 2016 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

That's when Scott Coker -- CEO of Bellator MMA -- plans to talk to Rory about jumping ship.

As Coker recently told MMA Junkie, it behooves fighters like Rory to fight out their current contracts and explore their options after doing so.

"We're not going to interfere in anybody's contract, because they have a contract with them. But I will say this - if you're a free agent, you should fight your fights out, because we're here too. So now, there's more than one buyer, which is good for the market, which is good for individuals, which is good for the league, which is good for the industry. Not every fighter's gonna fit with us. But he's a guy that we'd be interested in talking to, if the time is right."

Many before Rory have already jumped to the other side of the fence. And for some like Matt Mitrione, it has proven to be greener; at least financially.

The competition, though, will not be easier, as former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson found out last week after he was beat down by current Bellator 170-pound title holder Andrey Koreshkov (see it again here).

Still, even if Coker has a heart-to-heart with Rory, UFC officials may come in with a lucrative offer -- much like they did this guy -- in hopes of locking up "Red King" for the remainder of his career.