Michael McDonald
Active 2011–present · rated in 3 editions · peak overall 80.0
Scouting report
Michael "Mayday" McDonald challenged for the UFC interim bantamweight title at age 22, among the youngest fighters ever to challenge for a UFC championship. Born in Modesto, California, McDonald scored knockouts over Miguel Torres and Brad Pickett, his hands captured by an 86 Boxing score and 80 BJJ.
Peak ratings
By edition
McDonald knocked out Miguel Torres in the first round at UFC 145 in Atlanta, earning an interim championship opportunity against Renan Barao at UFC on Fuel TV 7 in London, where he was submitted by fourth-round arm-triangle choke before rebounding with a triangle choke finish of Brad Pickett at UFC Fight Night 26 in Boston. His knockout power and grappling are captured in an 86 Boxing and 80 BJJ.
Following a submission loss to Urijah Faber at UFC on Fox 9 in late 2013, McDonald missed all of 2014 and 2015 due to hand and wrist surgeries. His standing as a heavy-handed puncher was preserved in his 85 Boxing and 80 Durability ratings throughout this layoff.
McDonald returned in January 2016 at UFC 195 in Las Vegas, submitting Masanori Kanehara with a rear-naked choke, then dropped a first-round knockout loss to John Lineker in Sioux Falls at UFC Fight Night 91 before departing the promotion. His punching power and submission resilience anchor his 84 Boxing and 80 BJJ scores.
Michael McDonald, the young contender from Modesto
Michael McDonald was one of the youngest fighters ever to challenge for a title in the top promotion, facing Renan Barao for the interim bantamweight belt at age 22. He also knocked out Miguel Torres in 2012 and submitted Brad Pickett with a triangle choke. Born in Modesto, California, he was a fast boxer with early finishing instincts. His career became more uneven afterward, but his best stretch was full of sharp striking.
McDonald's attributes in context
Boxing. His best rating. Fast, accurate punches with real knockout power.
Kickboxing. Good. He mixed knees and kicks into his striking.
Wrestling. Below his other skills. He did not rely on wrestling.
BJJ. Decent. He can survive on the ground and has finished a fight with a triangle choke.
Strength. A thin number that matches his slim frame.
Durability. Solid, though he was finished at the highest level.
Cardio. Fair. He was still very young when he reached the top of the division.
Fight IQ. Good for his age. He improved fight by fight.
Boxing gives him early leverage
At 86, Boxing is his top number and the source of the Torres knockout. He is best when a fight begins fast and he can land clean early. If he gets ahead on the scorecards or in damage, he can hold that advantage.
Wrestling and Strength tie at the bottom
Both are 76, so there is no single problem. A wrestler with a good shot can take him down, and a stronger fighter can push him against the fence. Fill the roster with someone who can defend for him, because his best work comes when the fight stays in open space.
Keep exploring
Closest bantamweight profiles to Michael McDonald, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Brian Bowlesbest boxing 82 · weakest kickboxing 74
- Brad Pickettbest cardio 84 · weakest strength 74
- Eddie Winelandbest boxing 84 · weakest bjj 72
- Takeya Mizugakibest cardio 84 · weakest strength 73
- Bantamweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Michael McDonald's strongest attribute, Boxing.
Draft Michael McDonald into your build
Michael McDonald enters the pool on any spin landing on bantamweight between 2010 and 2017. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Michael McDonald is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Michael McDonald's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.