Reebok announced today that Canadian welterweight Rory MacDonald is the latest UFC fighter to join the athetic brand’s stable of athletes, which also includes Ronda Rousey, Conor McGregor, Anthony Pettis and Paige VanSant.
No. 2-ranked MacDonald, a native of Quesnel, British Columbia, generated buzz last weekend at the UFC 189 event in Las Vegas. His bloody bout against title holder Robbie Lawler was named the “Fight of the Night,” even though it was actually a lead-in for the main event, the Conor McGregor vs. Chad Mendes showdown.
And while the 25-year-old MacDonald was unsuccessful in taking Lawler’s title, he certainly boosted his profile, making him a smart addition to Reebok’s team (and hopefully a less-controversial one than the brand’s former poster boy, Jon Jones).
“I am honored to partner with Reebok, a brand that believes in working hard to get to the top, and which can support me in my journey in the UFC,” MacDonald said in a statement. “I only surround myself with the best — teammates, coaches and sparring partners — to become the very best fighter possible. Now Reebok completes the mix.”
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As an official sponsor of the UFC, Reebok has vowed to work closely with the athletes to help them inside and outside the octagon. “Reebok’s vision is to empower people to push their limits to become better versions of themselves, and this also applies to our partnership with Rory,” Stewart Clark, director of marketing for Reebok Canada, said in the statement.
Reebok’s partnership with the ultimate-fighting organization began late last year, and the UFC 189 event marked the unveiling of its first official fight kits f0r the athletes. Brand VP Todd Krinsky told FN recently that the brand plans to unveil combat-training footwear for consumers in 2016.
