Ask any seasoned MMA writer (or fan) and they’ll tell you that Rory MacDonald’s bloody war with then-UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler was one of THE fights of 2015.

But since that fight much has changed in the career of ‘The Red King’, the Canadian fighter long-saddled with the tag of being the next Georges St-Pierre.

Despite being inexorably linked with GSP, MacDonald is a markedly different fighter, whose less risk-averse approach to fights has made him one of the most exciting 170-pounders on the planet.

Now a Bellator MMA athlete, MacDonald is all set to make his promotional debut against British knockout artist Paul ‘Semtex’ Daley at Bellator 179 at London’s Wembley Arena on May 19.

And fans will be delighted to hear that the Canadian plans on taking the intensity level of his fights to a new level from here on in.

Rather than using his knowledge and experience to help make him a safer fighter, MacDonald admitted to me that he’s gone in the opposite direction and will be showcasing an even more attacking fighting style under the Bellator banner.

Anderson’s opportunity

While the bout between Daley and MacDonald pits two of the world’s most recognisable welterweights against each other, another 170lb bout on the card offers the chance for American Derek Anderson to elevate himself to new levels of notoriety.

Former lightweight campaigner Anderson, who goes by the fighting moniker of ‘Barbaric’, will take on the hottest property in Bellator right now, Michael ‘Venom’ Page.

Anderson appeared to be taking everything in his stride and enjoying the increased attention when he chatted to me during last week’s press conference event in Kensington, London.

Despite plying his trade at 155lbs so far in his career, Anderson said he was looking forward to being able to carry some extra weight and fight at his more natural weight class against flamboyant Brit Page, who will be looking to make a big statement in front of his home crowd.

Coker and economies of scale

I also took the opportunity to chat to Bellator MMA president Scott Coker to continue our conversation from the week before.

The Bellator boss chatted about the upcoming event and revealed his frustration at being check-mated in his attempts to keep Fedor Emelianenko on the recent Bellator 173 fight card after his opponent Matt Mitrione was forced out on the day of the fight with kidney stones.

But perhaps the most interesting part of our chat came when he explained the scale and benefits of Bellator being part of the Viacom family of companies as he told me: “We’ll never have to look for a TV deal.”

There are still teething problems with their TV presence here in the UK, with fans still desperate to watch Bellator (and BAMMA) events live on Spike UK and Channel 5. We’ve a little way to go before we get to that point, it seems.

But from my conversations with Coker the will is certainly there, and with the buzz surrounding the ever-growing presence of Bellator on the MMA landscape, theirs is a story that will be well worth watching as we continue through 2017.

Watch the full Bellator 179 press conference here

Simon Head is a freelance sports journalist and MMA reporter. Follow him on Twitter @simonhead