Jason MacDonald

Jason 'The Athlete' MacDonald is a Canadian mixed martial artist. He lives in Red Deer, Alta., with his wife Kelly and four children, boys Tristin and Keel, and girls Jett and True. He blogs regularly for Sportsnet.ca.

I’m usually not one for New Year’s resolutions, but I said to myself and to my wife this year I’d like to get back in the UFC in time for the Vancouver show in June.

I know I need to win a few more fights for that to be even a consideration, but I know I can fight twice between now and then. I think they want and need Canadian fighters on Canadian cards, for obvious reasons.

I‘m one of the few Western Canadian fighters out there who has fought for the UFC, so hopefully that gives me a chance.

The big change for me as we head into 2010 is that Mark Pavelich is no longer my manager, as I’m currently seeking out a new one. At this point in my career, I need someone who’s completely focused on me. Although Mark has done some great things for me, at this point he’s completely focused on his business, the MFC, and I need someone working really hard for me.

I need someone who is actively seeking out for me fights and sponsorships, especially at a time when there’s not a ton of fights and not a ton of sponsorship money out there.

I made the decision that it was best for me to move on and find a new manager.

Mark has definitely helped me out in my career and I thank him for that. It’s just time for a change and it’s time to move on.

I’m not sure where that leaves me in terms of fighting. If Mark still wants me to fight in the MFC, I’m open to that. But I’m NOT open to exclusive contracts. I want to keep my future open to whatever options might come my way. I’m willing to fight anywhere. I really feel that staying busy is a good thing for me.

I’m looking to fight as much as I can before June 12, when the UFC comes to Vancouver.

I’d like to say congratulations to Sam Stout on his win over Joe Lauzon on Saturday. That was one of the best fights I’ve seen in a while. Another win and another bonus for my fellow Canadian.

I really enjoy watching Sam fight and I admire the relationship that he and his trainer Shawn Tompkins have. During that fight, to listen to Shawn give directions from the corner, and Sam without even thinking follow them, is an amazing thing to see. Shawn’s calling every combination he wants him to do -- and some of them were kind of strange combinations -- but Sam wasn’t even questioning them, he was just doing everything Shawn said.

I thought 108 as a whole, for all the injuries they had and all the slack the card got, was a good one with some really entertaining fights. There have been more cards out there touted to be great but a lot less entertaining.

Rashad Evans had a big win. That was a classic case of a guy not trying to finish a fight but doing exactly what you need to do to win it. We’re seeing that more now because there’s always that risk of being cut if you lose, so guys are being a little more cautious and just doing whatever gives them the best chance to win.

It’s a new year so hopefully I’ll have better luck with my fight predictions.

With two cards coming up in a couple days, I’ll just do a few picks.

WEC (Sunday) quick picks:

Jamie Varner vs. Ben Henderson

Varner has just been away from the game for too long. And he was in a lot of trouble at the end of his last fight with Donald Cerrone. I see ring rust being an issue and Henderson is on a roll, so I’m picking Henderson, to unify the lightweight belts.

Mark Hominick vs. Bryan Caraway

Mark’s a great fighter and he’s Canadian too, so I’m rooting for him. I like his chances to beat Caraway.

It also appears Mike Brown and Urijah Faber have been given fights they’re both very capable of winning and should win. It’s no secret the WEC wants Faber to fight Jose Aldo for the title. He’s got a matchup here that while it’s not a complete cakewalk, it’s a fight for him to go in there and win. Same thing for Brown.

UFC (Monday) quick picks:

Gray Maynard vs. Nate Diaz

Gray is getting better and better with each fight. Although Nate is very crafty on the ground, Gray should be able to take him down and grind out a decision.

Evan Dunham vs. Efrain Escudero

I trained with Evan down at Randy Couture’s gym in Vegas. He’s a great guy, and I was impressed with him even before I met him in his first fight in the UFC; he showed a lot of heart. Efrain is a nice guy too. In his last fight against Cole Miller he showed he has even more talent than what we saw on the TUF show. Another tough fight, I really don’t know who to pick but I’ll roll the dice and go with Evan. Efrain has the ability to submit him. But Evan is left-handed and a good counter puncher. He should be able to keep it standing and pull out a decision.

Tom Lawlor vs. Aaron Simpson

I was really impressed with Aaron in his last fight, he was beating Ed Herman up until the point Herman blew out his knee. Lawlor is a showman but he’s never really impressed me skill-wise. I’ll go with Simpson.

Brad Blackburn vs. Amir Sadollah

Blackburn should beat Sadollah. He’s been around a long time. I met him when he fought in the MFC years ago. Then he moved on to the IFL and has now won three straight in the UFC. He’s skilled, he’s good and Amir is still young and inexperienced. Sure Amir just laid a licking on Phil Baroni, but I’m not sure that’s going to help him beat Blackburn.

Rory MacDonald vs. Mike Guymon

Finally, we have another young Canadian in Rory. And he’s fighting a veteran. It’s definitely a tough fight. Rory’s very young, but the kid has a lot of experience and has always risen to the occasion and taken out older and experienced guys. Mike (Joker) Guymon has been involved in the sport for a long time; he’s one of the original Tapout guys. While I’ve never watched MacDonald fight, I’ve heard lots of great things about him.

It’s a tough one, but I’ve got to go with Rory.