Rob MacDonald will be taking on Jason Lambert in his first UFC bout at UFC 58 "Canada vs. USA". The "Ultimate Fighter 2" alumni will be making his first Pro UFC appearance and is ready and willing to represent his team and Canada in his upcoming bout. He was kind enough to set some time aside for MMA Ring Report and had some interesting things to say about the fight, he team, his future and who he feels are fighters he looks up to...

MMARR: How did you feel about the change of opponent? Does Changing from Seth Petruzelli to Jason Lambert change your preparation for a fight or your mindset heading into a fight?

Rob MacDonald: Not really, I mean Seth is a great fighter and so is Jason Lambert. At this level there are so many dangerous fighters. As a fighter you just have to be the best and well rounded that you can possibly be. In addition you have to be prepared to fight anyone at anytime. This fight is such an important moment for me it wouldnt matter who I am fighting. I am training as hard as I possibly can and will put it all on the line.

MMARR: What does it mean to you to represent Canada in the UFC’s first ever “Canada vs. USA” battle?

Rob MacDonald: It is a tremendous honour. To be included on a card with David Loiseau, George St. Pierre, BJ Penn and Rich Franklin is an absolute dream. When you look at the card I think it is one of the best UFC cards ever assembled in terms of the match ups and the excitement surrounding the event.-

MMARR: Having teammates such as Stout and Hominick in the UFC, do you get more nervous watching them fight or preparing for your own fight?

Rob MacDonald: Actually its the opposite. Sam Stout and Mark Hominick are such gifted atheltes and fierce competitors that they provide me with inspiration during my fight. Both of those guys have unbelievable work ethic and heart, You can’t help but feed off the positive energy.

MMARR: I spoke to many of your teammates and they all feel the way you were portrayed on the show was not indicative of your true nature, what was it like on the show and how do you feel about the way you were portrayed?

Rob MacDonald: The show was the best experience of my life. Sure there were some negatives with it. But overall it is something special that no one can ever take anything away from. It was such an eye opening experience as far as my fighting goes. In addition I had the opportunity to meet and become good friends with some of the best fighters on the continent. I wouldnt trade that experience for anything in the world. As for how I was portrayed you know I’m not allowed to talk about the show and its editing processes and so forth. All I will say is those who know me know exactly what Im all about. Ask around and you’ll get the real story.

MMARR: Coming into your first UFC fight on PPV, do you feel it is a bit of payback time for the way you were portrayed on the TV show?

Rob MacDonald: I don’t look at it like that at all. The chance to fight in the UFC on Pay Per View has been a dream of mine since before I can remember and I am going to take full opportunity of it. Look at where I am. I am getting the chance to fight in front of a huge crowd at the Mandalay Bay Casino on one of the best UFC cards ever. For the first time I am really going to enjoy this experience and just fight the best fight that I can. I am going to bring an added confidence, maturity and outlook to the ring.

MMARR: Who are the fighters that you look up to in the sport of MMA?

Rob MacDonald: The fighters I look up to are first and foremost my trainer and good friend Shawn Tompkins. He is one of the worlds best strikers and trainers and I wouldnt be here without all of his effort. He has put so much into this. People just have no idea how hard that man works and it shows. Team tompkins is heavily represented at the UFC.

Bas Rutten has always been a hero of mine because of the ferociousness he brings to the ring and his overall class and attitude.

Rich Franklin is also someone I look up to. I got to know him a little bit on the show and he is the real deal. He is such a genuine person and amazing athlete. He is a true class act and that is what this sport needs right now.

MMARR: You will be moving down to Light Heavyweight, how do you feel about making the move down?

Rob MacDonald: I think it is a great move for me. Its been a hard cut down but it will all be worth it. I think I am a natural Light Heavyweight so this is where I belong. I also feel that alot of my physical attributes will be more of an asset at the Light Heavyweight Division.

MMARR: What is your prediction as far as wins and losses for Canada and the US?

I believe that Canada is going to surprise alot of people and we are going to win a hard fought battle. I think there are so many great fighters on the card and match ups that anything can happen but I really believe we are going to end up on top.

MMARR: Finally any parting thoughts for UFC fans out there that could be watching you for the first time on PPV?

Rob MacDonald: I would just like to thank all the fans out there for all the support over the years. Athletes would be nothing without the love and admiration of the fans who support the sport of MMA. Bottom Line is the fans make the sport so I’d like to thank everyone out there who is supportive of the world’s greatest sport and who are going to tune in to watch UFC 58:Canada vs. USA.

Rob MacDonald will be facing Jason Lambert in a Lightheavyweight bout at UFC 58 "Canada vs. USA" on March 4th in Las Vegas Nevada. Photo Courtesy of Spike TV