Former UFC title contender Rory MacDonald will officially ply his trade under the banner of Bellator MMA.
MacDonald, a free-agent welterweight, signed an exclusive multiyear contract with Bellator on Friday in the promotion's most prominent signing to date of a former UFC fighter.
ESPN.com ranks MacDonald (18-4), 27, as the No. 4-ranked fighter in the world at 170 pounds.
"There's no denying that Rory MacDonald was the cream of the crop when it comes to free agents in MMA," Bellator president Scott Coker said. "As I say all the time, if there is a free agent out there, we're going to talk to them. If they fit our model, we're going to make a hard push to bring them over here."
Fighting out of TriStar MMA in Montreal, MacDonald joins a Bellator welterweight division topped by current champion Andrey Koreshkov, who defeated former UFC champion Benson Henderson in his first title defense in April.
"There are multiple reasons why I chose to fight for Bellator MMA and Scott Coker," MacDonald said. "One, they have given me the opportunity to develop and grow a business together. Two, because I already feel respected by the promotion as a professional athlete. And last but not least, because Bellator is offering a setup that no one in the world can offer me."
MacDonald is the latest former UFC fighter to sign with Bellator, joining the likes of Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Phil Davis, Tito Ortiz, Cheick Kongo and Stephan Bonnar.
A native of Quesnel in British Columbia, MacDonald owns nine UFC victories, including wins over current welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, B.J. Penn and Nate Diaz. MacDonald was stopped in the fifth round by former champion Robbie Lawler in 2015's fight of the year.
He lost a five-round decision to Stephen Thompson in June, in what turned out to be MacDonald final UFC fight.
"I'm very happy that we were able to work out a deal with Rory," Coker said. "I can't wait to see him bring his menacing style to the Bellator cage."
MacDonald, who was in attendance at Friday's Bellator 160 card in Anaheim, California, where his signing was announced, was called out on the broadcast by current Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler, who said he would be interested in moving up in weight.
"I want the biggest fights Bellator has to offer," Chandler said. "Rory MacDonald just joined the ranks of Bellator. I'm not afraid to gain a few [pounds]. I'm about 192 right now, so I'm not afraid to step up and do that. So let's do it."