Drew Dober needed to rely on his granite chin for much of his fight at UFC Vegas 50. Terrance McKinney got off to a flying start and dropped his opponent on several occasions. Dober managed to turn things around at the end of round one and didn’t let his man off the hook. The 33-year-old […]
Drew Dober needed to rely on his granite chin for much of his fight at UFC Vegas 50.
Terrance McKinney got off to a flying start and dropped his opponent on several occasions.
Dober managed to turn things around at the end of round one and didn’t let his man off the hook.
The 33-year-old hammered away with ground and pound before the referee stepped in to wave off the fight.
Terrance McKinney knows the day he becomes UFC champion is coming. Terrance McKinney is coming off a big win at UFC Vegas 49 over Fares Ziam. McKinney is a rising star in the UFC lightweight division. He finds himself outside the top fifteen at the moment, but that is not stopping him from envisioning his…
Terrance McKinney knows the day he becomes UFC champion is coming.
Terrance McKinney is coming off a big win at UFC Vegas 49 over Fares Ziam. McKinney is a rising star in the UFC lightweight division. He finds himself outside the top fifteen at the moment, but that is not stopping him from envisioning his first title fight.
McKinney is 12-3 in his professional MMA career, with two fights and two wins in the UFC. McKinney has his sights set on some big goals, but first, he says he will win the lightweight title.
“2023, that’s the goal to have my title fight that year,” McKinney told TMZ Sports. “It don’t matter who has the belt, I’m taking that fight. If it’s Islam, Justin Gaethje, Michael Chandler, whoever has the belt that’s what I want.”
At just 27 years old, McKinney is showing that he can be a force in the 155-pound division. He has never gone the distance in his career, and now has seven submission victories and five TKO or KO wins. Despite his immense talent, there could still be a long way to go. The UFC lightweight division is filled with superstars. The top is jammed packed with killers and it seems like there could be a long waitlist for a title shot. In the meantime, McKinney is ready for whatever the UFC throws at him.
“I just take whoever they throw my way,” he said. “Whoever is brave enough to take it, let’s get it.”
With such a great showing in his last fight, McKinney could be looking at ranked opponents soon. If he can string together a few big wins, he could be on his way to fulfilling his prophecy.
Do you think Terrance McKinney is a future UFC champion at 155 pounds?
Up-and-coming UFC lightweight prospect Terrance McKinney will get back in the Octagon on short notice against Drew Dober at UFC Vegas 50. The UFC announced the news on Friday that McKinney will fill in for Ricky Glenn, who had to withdraw due to an injury. UFC Vegas 50 takes place on March 12. McKinney just…
Up-and-coming UFC lightweight prospect Terrance McKinney will get back in the Octagon on short notice against Drew Dober at UFC Vegas 50.
The UFC announced the news on Friday that McKinney will fill in for Ricky Glenn, who had to withdraw due to an injury. UFC Vegas 50 takes place on March 12.
McKinney just fought at UFC Vegas 49, earning an impressive submission win over Fares Ziam. The win over Ziam was McKinney’s fifth-straight first-round finish and second straight in the UFC.
McKinney has bounced back in a big way since losing to Sean Woodson during the 2019 season of Dana White’s Contender Series. He’s gone on to win five of his last six with impressive performances in LFA and SHP.
McKinney will face arguably the toughest test of his career against Dober, who has lost back-to-back fights but is still regarded as arguably one of the most dangerous lightweights in the UFC. His last win came against Alexander Hernandez via second-round knockout in May 2020.
McKinney shattered a UFC record in his promotional debut at UFC 263. He knocked out Matt Frevola in just seven seconds, which still stands as the fastest knockout in lightweight history.
A win over Dober could propel McKinney into the lightweight rankings just three fights into his UFC tenure. Meanwhile, Dober is looking to get back in the win column and back in the thick of things in the division.
UFC Vegas 50 will be headlined by a light heavyweight matchup between top contenders Thiago Santos and Magomed Ankalaev.
What is your prediction for Terrance McKinney vs. Drew Dober?
Count it two UFC victories and now 11 first round finishes for lightweight prospect, Terrance McKinney — who stops Fares Ziam inside the opening two minutes of their UFC Vegas 49 preliminary card bout — courtesy of a taut rear-naked choke. Attempting to land early akin to his stunning June, seven-second knockout win over Matt […]
Count it two UFC victories and now 11 first round finishes for lightweight prospect, Terrance McKinney — who stops Fares Ziam inside the opening two minutes of their UFC Vegas 49 preliminary card bout — courtesy of a taut rear-naked choke.
Attempting to land early akin to his stunning June, seven-second knockout win over Matt Frevola, McKinney rushed forward with a misplaced shot, resulting in a slip and forcing an eventual grappling scramble.
Working his way to side control quite easily, McKinney then gave up half guard as Ziam recovered, before eventually taking the back of his rescheduled foe. And despite a wayward angle to setup a rear-naked choke, the patient McKinney eventually forced the tap from Ziam — scoring his his second UFC victory and second Octagon stoppage.
Below, catch the highlights from Terrance McKinney’s submission victory over Fares Ziam
UFC lightweight Terrance McKinney has title aspirations, but he’s also looking to make a difference outside of the octagon. McKinney is set to make his UFC return at UFC Vegas 49 on Feb. 26 against another tough lightweight prospect Fares Ziam. The fight is expected to be an all-out war between two of the most […]
UFC lightweight Terrance McKinney has title aspirations, but he’s also looking to make a difference outside of the octagon.
McKinney is set to make his UFC return at UFC Vegas 49 on Feb. 26 against another tough lightweight prospect Fares Ziam. The fight is expected to be an all-out war between two of the most explosive strikers in the division.
But, it hasn’t always been easy for McKinney. Just a few years ago, he was arrested in Spokane, WA after exhibiting symptoms of drug-induced delirium following mushroom and acid use. He was tased by officers and nearly died as a result of his substance use.
McKinney was sentenced to 250 hours of community service, which he used to speak with school children about his journey. He was able to pick himself up and move forward towards a since-prosperous fighting career.
Terrance McKinney Continues To Inspire Troubled Youth
“I still like doing speaking engagements because I love to give back,” McKinney said. “If my story can help one person reach their dream or get out of that little hiccup, then it’s an honor for me. I want to show people that you’re not the only one that’s made a mistake and bounced back.”
After a brief stint in LFA, he earned the biggest opportunity of his MMA career at UFC 263. He would go on to knock out Matt Frevola in just seven seconds, setting the record for the quickest finish in lightweight history.
McKinney’s social media pages exploded following a mini-documentary produced by the UFC regarding his troubled past. You can watch the video here.
McKinney hopes to enter the lightweight rankings by the end of 2022 and continue to show that you can make mistakes and not only learn from them, but bounce back better.
What are your predictions for Terrance McKinney’s UFC future?
Court “The Crusher” McGee delivered a tearful message to those who struggle with drug addiction after a unanimous win at UFC Vegas 46. With over a decade of sobriety, the American fighter is an inspiration to anyone dealing with drug abuse. Many people struggle with it or know someone who does. The disease has taken […]
Court “The Crusher” McGee delivered a tearful message to those who struggle with drug addiction after a unanimous win at UFC Vegas 46.
With over a decade of sobriety, the American fighter is an inspiration to anyone dealing with drug abuse. Many people struggle with it or know someone who does. The disease has taken the lives of many and has changed the lives of those who won against it.
“Oh man, you’re gonna make me tear up bro. (Tears up.) Great question, no. I didn’t give myself a shot, but the people around me believed in me, and the people that don’t have access to the recovery that I had access to, that’s who I fight for—to show them that it’s possible, that recovery is possible, and that sobriety is possible, and that you can achieve incredible things one day at a time without a drink or drug.”
Drug addiction is a crippling mental illness. The stigma surrounding drug abuse is enough reason for most to keep quiet about their inner struggles with it.
And fighting the battle alone can make it even more difficult. McGee was fortunate to have a great support system and took advantage of it.
“I had a great family. I have great, wonderful parents that are not alcoholic, I have support, I was never neglected, there’s no abuse, and I fell victim to it because I have the disease of addiction and there’s thousands and thousands if not millions of people that struggle with addiction daily in the United States, and so, that message of overcoming adversity, my life story, from homelessness, to heroin addiction, to overcoming that adversity, surrounding myself around people in long-term recovery, and then fighting at a local circuit, making it through the juvenile system, getting expunged, building relationships with my attorney general, Shawn Reyes who’s a close friend of mine[…]”
The UFC fighter created an outlet called MCGeeproject.org for anyone to reach out if they are interested in his motivational speeches. His one message is that recovery is always possible.
Overcome and Inspire
After two recent wins in the UFC, welterweight contender Court McGee continues to show progress.
McGee has struggled, yet conquered, and at 37-years-old, he has established a 22-10 professional record.
Court McGee, Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale, USA Today Sports
Other UFC fighters have also courageously spoken up about their battle with drug addiction.
“Boston Strong” Charles Rosa, who fought along with McGee on the preliminary card at UFC Vegas 46, was once a victim of drug addiction and lost both his brothers to the mental illness.
Charles Rosa, Photo Credit: UFC
Mixed martial arts gave Rosa a home. His brothers were his fighting role models, and whenever the featherweight gets in the cage, he gives his all for them.
Lightweight Terrance Mckinney once overdosed and often reminds his fans about the fatal moment via Twitter:
“5 years ago I overdosed and died (twice), 2 years ago I made it to UFC Contender Series and lost, but 3 weeks ago I made my debut and set a record. Don’t let mistakes and losses define you. Every day is a new chance to do better than you were,” reads the 27-year-old’s pinned tweet.
Terrance McKinney, Photo Credit: MMA Junkie USA Today SPorts
That record-setting debut stopped the show in 7 seconds of round 1 at UFC 263 last June.
But a win in the UFC cannot outweigh helping someone who is losing the battle against drug addiction.
When asked about the importance of making a difference versus getting a UFC title, McGee said:
“Man, nine years ago, maybe 10 years ago, I spoke with my first high school and I had a young kid come up to me struggling with addiction—that kid’s married, he worked on an Air-Force base, he had a little baby, and he keeps in touch with me. And as soon as that happened and he came forward and asked for help, I had already won[…]”
Sometimes, the mission is not always winning the gold. Of course, McGee wants to be the best fighter he can be, but taking a moment to inspire those around him appears to give him a purpose.
What are your thoughts on Court McGee’s inspiring story?
#UFCVegas50 pic.twitter.com/RQAWHjEj14
Count it two UFC victories and now 11 first round finishes for lightweight prospect, Terrance McKinney — who stops Fares Ziam inside the opening two minutes of their UFC Vegas 49 preliminary card bout — courtesy of a taut rear-naked choke. Attempting to land early akin to his stunning June, seven-second knockout win over Matt […]
UFC lightweight Terrance McKinney has title aspirations, but he’s also looking to make a difference outside of the octagon. McKinney is set to make his UFC return at UFC Vegas 49 on Feb. 26 against another tough lightweight prospect Fares Ziam. The fight is expected to be an all-out war between two of the most […]
