A victorious Rory MacDonald (photo via UFC.com)

By FCF Staff

While a decision win over Tarec Saffiedine would have still been pivotal in Rory MacDonald’s quest to lock up a title shot, the welterweight’s stoppage win at UFC Fight Night 54 has only emboldened the fighter’s campaign.

MacDonald scored his third straight win on Saturday by taking out the former Strikeforce champ, and while speaking to UFC.com afterwards, he relayed the following:

“Tarec is a great fighter and one of the best in the world, and I think I’ve beaten some really good guys, maybe even underrated fighters in the welterweight division this year, and I really think I should get the winner of (Johnny) Hendricks and Robbie Lawler.”

The 25 year-old fighter put away Saffiedine with a right overhand, left uppercut combination in round three.

“I was just going with the flow; the training took over at that point. I didn’t force anything. I train like that. I came with focus for this guy. I told myself I have to be at my best.”

The loss marked the first time in six fights that Saffiedine has been defeated.

Hendricks will defend his title versus Lawler at UFC 181 on December 6th.