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?
Terrance McKinney is about to fulfill a childhood dream at UFC on ESPN+ 56.
A fighter’s journey to the top is really a solo mission. It usually takes a whole team and many years of work to get to the point of fighting on a UFC card. UFC lightweight…
Terrance McKinney is about to fulfill a childhood dream at UFC on ESPN+ 56.
A fighter’s journey to the top is really a solo mission. It usually takes a whole team and many years of work to get to the point of fighting on a UFC card. UFC lightweight Terrance McKinney is going to have the chance to shine next to one of the men who helped him on his journey to the top, his high school coach Michael Chiesa. McKinney posted on Twitter to share his excitement on this news.
I get to fight on the same card as my old high school wrestling coach, Mike Chiesa. I get to open the show and he helps close it. That’s a God move, and while we may not be on the same team he’s always with me. He inspired me to even do this, he supported me when few others did? pic.twitter.com/K7IwX5GsT8
“I get to fight on the same card as my old high school wrestling coach, Mike Chiesa,” McKinney wrote. “I get to open the show and he helps close it. That’s a God move, and while we may not be on the same team he’s always with me. He inspired me to even do this, he supported me when few others did.”
Before coming to the UFC, McKinney was turning head on the regional scene. He is riding a four-fight win streak. All his last four wins have come from KO. He is an exciting fighter in an exciting division. If McKinney can add some more highlight-reel finishes to his resume, he could find himself in the lightweight rankings soon.
Terrance McKinney is a born fighter and has a unique journey to the sport of MMA ahead of his UFC debut this Saturday against UFC 263 in Glendale, AZ. The 26-year-old McKinney will fight on the sport’s biggest stage this weekend against lightweight Matt Frevola on the undercard of UFC 263, but it wasn’t always […]
Terrance McKinney is a born fighter and has a unique journey to the sport of MMA ahead of his UFC debut this Saturday against UFC 263 in Glendale, AZ.
The 26-year-old McKinney will fight on the sport’s biggest stage this weekend against lightweight Matt Frevola on the undercard of UFC 263, but it wasn’t always easy for the Spokane, WA native.
McKinney was extremely troubled during his late teens, which included a run-in with the law and most notably a Mushroom trip that went horribly wrong back in 2014. McKinney mixed alcohol with acid and ‘shrooms one evening and appeared completely incoherent when confronted by local police.
McKinney would then be tased by police officers who arrived at the scene after resisting their instructions to settle down and relax. He would then be rushed to the hospital where he was effectively brain-dead and revived twice before doctors could finally stabilize him.
McKinney recently spoke with LFA about his incredible story to the sport of MMA and hopes to inspire people all over the world who make poor decisions early on in life.
“I ended up seeing demons, I was very incoherent,” McKinney said regarding his past issue with drugs and alcohol. “I was pretty much out of my mind. When they tried to engage me I started going crazy so they had to tase me, like multiple tases, I ate it like it was nothing. They finally got me down and were able to restrain me and get me to the hospital and that’s where I ended up dying twice. I didn’t even know I died, that was the scariest part. It really just made me settle down and think, ‘Is this what I want, or do I want something better?’”
After facing the most challenging time of his life, McKinney made the most of himself when he was introduced to MMA. He made his professional debut as a member of CageSport back in 2017 before brief stints with Strike Hard Productions and LFA. Overall, McKinney has accumulated a record of 10-3 in the octagon and is set to make his UFC debut in a short-notice bout against Frevola.
UFC 263 is widely anticipated to be one of the best cards of the year to date, but fight fans shouldn’t overlook McKinney vs. Frevola on Saturday night. If they need an under-the-radar fighter to root for, McKinney is a great bet.
What are your thoughts on Terrance McKinney’s inspirational bounceback story?
Terrance McKinney is a born fighter and has a unique journey to the sport of MMA ahead of his UFC debut this Saturday against UFC 263 in Glendale, AZ. The 26-year-old McKinney will fight on the sport’s biggest stage this weekend against lightweight Matt Frevola on the undercard of UFC 263, but it wasn’t always […]