OTTAWA - There has been a lot made of the friendly back and forth that has been the lead up to the UFC Ottawa main event bout between Canadian Rory MacDonald and his American opponent Stephen Thompson.

While the two fighters continue to have good feelings and respect for each other, the Canadian is not planning to hesitate when the fight starts on Saturday night.

"I'm always (all business), I don't think I've ever come into a fight just to have fun and enjoy the fans," said MacDonald. "I'm here to hurt this guy and take what's mine."

"He's just another body. We are friendly outside of the fight but I'm here to knock him out; he's my opponent and I'm here to do business."

Up for grabs in the marquee fight between the number one and number two-ranked fighters in the very competitive welterweight division is a possible shot at the title, a belt that eluded MacDonald in his last fight, a bloody, fifth round TKO loss to current champion Robbie Lawler.

Even with a win over Thompson, the 26-year-old knows that another immediate shot at the gold is not guaranteed.

"I don't know anything yet, there are so many contenders," said MacDonald. "Nowadays they don't make you any promises, they usually don't pan out because a fight a month later makes everyone think 'oh I want to see this guy'.

"There are so many great fights now and so many contenders in my division alone, I think I just have to put on the best performance of my life and make a statement."

There was some question as to what kind of fighter MacDonald would be after losing that bloody war to Lawler at UFC 189 and if he would be the same.  

The Canadian does believe that fight has changed him, for the better.

"Yeah I feel different, I feel better, more animalistic and more hungry to be a fighter, to train, to be a beast," said MacDonald. "I feel great."

"I've been hungry every since the (Lawler) fight. I was in there sparring a couple of months after and I was feeling really hungry and motivated. If it wasn't for the broken nose I would have been back in there; I was ready to go and I still am."

Thompson enters the fight having won his last six bouts including a February TKO, 'Performance of the Night' victory over former UFC welterweight champion Johny Hendricks.

MacDonald believes his skills will lead to his hand being raised at the end of an entertaining, competitive fight.

"I have more tools in the bag," said MacDonald. "Even though Thompson is very good with the tools that he has and has worked very hard to improve his weaknesses. I don't expect an easy fight.

"There will definitely be bloodshed."