Marcus McGhee
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Marcus McGhee | |
|---|---|
| Born | Marcus Julius McGhee May 7, 1990 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Other names | The Maniac |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Weight | 135 lb (61 kg; 9 st 9 lb) |
| Division | Bantamweight (2020–present) Featherweight (2021) |
| Reach | 69 in (175 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Fighting out of | Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. |
| Team | MMA Lab |
| Years active | 2020–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 12 |
| Wins | 10 |
| By knockout | 8 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 1 |
| Losses | 2 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 1 |
| Amateur record | |
| Total | 5 |
| Wins | 3 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By submission | 1 |
| Losses | 2 |
| By submission | 1 |
| Other information | |
| University | Glendale Community College[1] |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Marcus Julius McGhee[2] (born May 7, 1990) is an American professional mixed martial artist, currently competing in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).[3]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
As an amateur, McGhee's record was 3–2 while winning those three fights consecutively and capturing the Iron Boy MMA Featherweight Championship.[6] He turned pro in 2020, compiling a 6–1 record in his first seven professional fights.[7]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
In his promotional debut, as a late replacement for Brian Kelleher, who was forced to withdraw, McGhee faced Journey Newson in a 140 pounds catchweight bout on April 29, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 45.[8] McGhee won the fight via a rear-naked choke in the second round.[9] This win earning him the Performance of the Night award.[10]
McGhee was scheduled to face Gastón Bolaños on August 12, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 51.[11] However, Bolaños withdrew due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by JP Buys.[12] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[13] This win earned him his second consecutive Performance of the Night award.[14]
The bout between McGhee and Bolaños was rescheduled for January 13, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 234.[15] He won the fight via technical knockout in the second round.[16] This win earning his third straight Performance of the Night award.[17]
McGhee faced Jonathan Martinez on November 26, 2024, at UFC 309.[18] He won the fight via unanimous decision, the first decision victory of his career.[19]
McGhee faced former UFC Bantamweight Champion Petr Yan on July 26, 2025, at UFC on ABC 9.[20] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[21]
McGhee is scheduled to face Jakub Wikłacz on June 6, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 278.[22]
Personal life
McGhee currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona.[23] He is married with four kids.[24]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (Three times) vs. Journey Newson, JP Buys and Gastón Bolaños[25][26][27]
- Iron Boy MMA
- Iron Boy MMA Featherweight Championship (One time)[1]
- MMA Fighting
- 2023 Third Team MMA All-Star[28]
- Phoenix New Times – Best of Phoenix 2024: Boomtown
- 2024 Best Cannabis Athlete[29]
Mixed martial arts record
| 12 matches | 10 wins | 2 losses |
| By knockout | 8 | 0 |
| By submission | 1 | 1 |
| By decision | 1 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 10–2 | Petr Yan | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. de Ridder | July 26, 2025 | 3 | 5:00 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Win | 10–1 | Jonathan Martinez | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 309 | November 16, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | New York City, New York, United States | |
| Win | 9–1 | Gastón Bolaños | TKO (spinning wheel kick and punches) | UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Walker 2 | January 13, 2024 | 3 | 3:29 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 8–1 | JP Buys | KO (punch) | UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. dos Anjos | August 12, 2023 | 1 | 2:19 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 7–1 | Journey Newson | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC on ESPN: Song vs. Simón | April 29, 2023 | 2 | 2:03 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Catchweight (140 lb) bout. Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 6–1 | Luciano Ramos | TKO (punches) | LFA 149 | January 6, 2023 | 3 | 1:39 | Chandler, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 5–1 | Abe Sellers | TKO (punches) | Goat Promotions: Cowboys vs. Cajuns 3 | November 10, 2022 | 3 | 0:24 | Dallas, Texas, United States | Catchweight (140 lb) bout. |
| Loss | 4–1 | Rafael do Nascimento | Submission (rear-naked choke) | LFA 135 | July 8, 2022 | 1 | 3:12 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Rodney Mondala | KO (punch) | RUF 47 | May 14, 2022 | 1 | 0:58 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Raphael Montini de Lima | KO (punches) | RUF 42 | July 31, 2021 | 2 | 1:57 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | Return to Bantamweight. |
| Win | 2–0 | Ricky Maynez | TKO (punches) | RUF 40 | April 25, 2021 | 2 | 3:51 | Glendale, Arizona, United States | Featherweight debut. |
| Win | 1–0 | Nick Alwag | KO (punch) | RUF 38 | February 15, 2020 | 1 | 1:13 | Glendale, Arizona, United States | Bantamweight debut. |
Source:[2]
Amateur record
| Amateur record breakdown | ||
| 5 matches | 3 wins | 2 losses |
| By knockout | 2 | 0 |
| By submission | 1 | 1 |
| By decision | 0 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 3–2 | Stephen Esparza-Owens | KO (punch) | Iron Boy MMA 13 | November 17, 2018 | 1 | 2:16 | Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | Won the Iron Boy MMA Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 2–2 | Shawn Garrett | Submission (guillotine choke) | World Fighting Federation 40 | October 27, 2018 | 3 | 0:35 | Chandler, Arizona, U.S. | |
| Win | 1–2 | Moe Ismail | TKO (punches) | Duel for Domination 13 | September 12, 2015 | 1 | 0:39 | Mesa, Arizona, U.S. | |
| Loss | 0–2 | Derrick Brown | Decision (unanimous) | KOTC: Alliance | May 26, 2014 | 3 | 3:00 | Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S. | Featherweight debut. |
| Loss | 0–1 | Joshua Medina | Submission (armbar) | Rage in the Cage 163 | October 20, 2012 | 1 | 2:55 | Chandler, Arizona, U.S. | Lightweight debut. |
Source:[2]