Slam Sports recently ran a good article about UFC light heavyweight Rob “Maximus” MacDonald’s rollercoaster ride to try and make it as a mixed martial arts fighter.

MacDonald left the Peel Regional Police in Toronto, Canada, to appear on season two of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) on SpikeTV. He was choked out by Brad Imes and, to add insult to injury, literally, he suffered a torn labrum.

Here’s a snip:

“I didn’t know where to turn … I was devastated. I decided that I had been through the death of a father, I’d been through a divorce, I’ve put myself through school … I said I’m not going to let it hold me back.”

Still recovering from his injury, MacDonald jumped at the opportunity to fight Jason Lambert at UFC 58: “USA vs. Canada” in March. However, he lost the fight via kimura submission.

But recently, he did look impressive in a win over Kristian Rothaermel, defeating the TUF 2 alumnus via armbar at Ultimate Fight Night. Not the stiffest competition, but a step in the right direction nonetheless.

Now, he sets his sights on Eric Schafer this upcoming weekend at UFC 62: “Liddell vs. Sobral.” This will be a true test to see what a “healthy” Rob MacDonald can do.

No more excuses.