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UFC Debut or TUF 3 Imminent? By Kelsey Mowatt Hot off an "upset" victory over fellow Canadian Joe Doerksen, Jason "the Athlete" Macdonald sat down with FCF this week to discuss his recent win at Ultimate Cage Wars 3, and his hopes that this win will ensure a call from the UFC to hire his services. Macdonald, who is a full-time corrections officer in Red Deer, Alberta, has been on the "fringe" of the 205-pound division for some time and recently dropped to try his hand at the middleweights. His record includes notable victories over Bill Mahood, Anthony Rea, Shannon Ritch and Chris Fontaine, and with the recent addition of Joe Doerksen to this list Macdonald feels now, more than ever, that his shot in the "big show" should finally come. "I feel like the UFC has overlooked me for some time," Macdonald said, "I just want a chance. If Edwin Dewees has had two chances why not me? I mean it would be stupid of me to come out and call out the champion because I've never fought for them, but I'd fight anyone they put in front of me if they gave me a chance. I'd like to fight Chris Leben, same thing with Patrick Cote, although I think he might be back up to light heavyweight." With next season's auditions for The Ultimate Fighter being held at the end of November, Macdonald's management team has been in touch with the organization trying to ensure that Macdonald receives thorough consideration. "Well I'm hoping that beating Joe opens some doors for me," he told FCF. "I mean I'm not saying that I'm on the show, but, from the sounds of it, I might get a call. From that point, whether it's to audition or what, I don't know." Macdonald defeated Doerksen by rear naked choke in the fourth round of their fight at UCW 3 on October 22nd in Winnipeg, Manitoba, a fight that by many accounts saw Macdonald dominate Doerksen the longer it went. Macdonald opened a serious cut on Doerksen's forehead in the first round, a cut that Doerksen needed to ferociously defend in order to prevent a doctor stoppage. Desperate to secure a victory before the cut worsened, Doerksen attempted several submissions on Macdonald, including securing an armbar as the second round bell sounded. According to "The Athlete," however, the Red Deer fighter never felt at risk, including the second round submission he maintains never had a chance at forcing the tap. "I never really thought that it was that close," Macdonald said. "I was just holding on until the end of the round because my corner told me there was something like seven seconds left. I saw it a million miles away." Macdonald feels like he controlled the majority of the fight, utilizing an effective ground and pound game that wore Doerksen down. "I had wanted to keep it standing." Macdonald explained. "Right away I hit him with some jabs and he went for a shot. I was on top of him a lot through the fight, cut him in the first round with an elbow; I knew I was wearing him down." The fourth round saw Macdonald end the fight by securing a rear naked choke on Doerksen that forced the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt to tap. "I got side position and landed some really hard shots," Macdonald recalled, "he turned and gave me his back; he was really worn down." The victory brings Macdonald's record to 12-5, his second in a row, after defeating Winnipeg fighter Chris Fontaine as well at the Maximum Fighting Championships 8 in September. Macdonald appears to be back on track after losing four fights in a row to a rather impressive list. Macdonald lost by armbar to Team Quest fighter Matt Horwich, dropped unanimous decisions to Marvin Eastman and Shonie Carter, and lost by split decision to intimidating wrestler Jason Brilz. "It wasn't like I lost to a bunch of bums," Macdonald explained, "I was winning against Horwich and I made a mistake, I would have beat Brilz if I had another round, and Carter was my first fight at 185." The switch to middleweight came because Macdonald viewed the competition available and liked what he saw. "I thought there was better competition at 185, I wanted to fight Joe Doerksen and Chris Fontaine, Leben, Cote, there was a lot of guys in the division I wanted to fight." Now Macdonald has defeated two of these men on this list, including the win over Doerksen, which ranks as one of his greatest victories to date according to Macdonald. "It's definitely one of the best. The win over Anthony Rea was great, but I got in there and dominated, just kind of rolled through him, " Macdonald recalled. "Against Joe, I felt like I dominated him, everything fell together, all the elements of my training fell into place. Joe is one the best fighters in Canada." Macdonald credits his manager Mark Pavelich for putting him together with new training partners that he feels have taken his game to the next level. Macdonald travels around the province daily, training with Gracie Barra jiu-jitsu black belt Josh Russell in Calgary on certain days, only to head back up north for boxing at the famous Panther Gym in Edmonton. "I'm logging the miles up and down the highway," Macdonald said laughing, "but it's definitely worth it." Macdonald will fight again in March of 2006 for the MFC Middleweight Championship, barring any calls from the UFC that would require his commitment elsewhere. For now, Macdonald plans on training hard for whoever his next opponent will be. "I'm just looking to better myself through my training and we'll see what happens, I couldn't do it without my sponsors, Sprawl, Pro-Camp High Performance, Wellness Plus, Peak Fitness, Wick Winder and Webber Physiotherapy, I owe a lot to them as well." |
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