Marcus McGhee
{{short description|American mixed martial artist}}
{{Infobox martial artist
| name = Marcus McGhee
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| other_names = The Maniac
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1990|05|07}}
| birth_place = Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
| death_place =
| height = 5 ft 8 in
| weight_lb = 135
| weight_class = Bantamweight (2020–present)
Featherweight (2021)
| reach_in = 69
| style =
| rank =
| fighting_out_of = Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
| nationality =
| stance = Orthodox
| trainer =
| team = MMA Lab
| years_active = 2020–present
| kickbox_win =
| kickbox_kowin =
| kickbox_loss =
| kickbox_koloss =
| kickbox_draw =
| kickbox_nc =
| mma_kowin = 8
| mma_subwin = 1
| mma_decwin = 1
| mma_koloss =
| mma_subloss = 1
| mma_decloss =
| mma_draw =
| mma_nc =
| am_label =
| am_win = 3
| am_kowin = 2
| am_subwin = 1
| am_loss = 2
| am_koloss =
| am_subloss = 1
| am_draw =
| am_nc =
| box_win =
| box_kowin =
| box_loss =
| box_koloss =
| box_draw =
| box_nc =
| other =
| occupation =
| spouse =
| relatives =
| students =
| university = Glendale Community College{{cite web |title=Marcus McGhee UFC Bio |url=https://www.ufc.com/athlete/marcus-mcghee |website=UFC.com |access-date=June 30, 2025}}
| url =
| boxrec =
| sherdog = 122153
}}
Marcus Julius McGhee (born May 7, 1990) is an American professional mixed martial artist, currently competing in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).{{cite web |title=Marcus McGhee UFC Stats |url=http://ufcstats.com/fighter-details/c0ac37a4a1133da9 |website=UFC Stats |access-date=June 30, 2025}} As of July 1, 2025, he is #13 in the UFC Bantamweight rankings.{{cite web |title=UFC Rankings |url=https://www.ufc.com/rankings |website=UFC.com |access-date=June 30, 2025}}
Early life
McGhee was born in Detroit, Michigan, and was raised by his single mother, as his father spent most of his life in prison.{{cite web |title=1-on-1 with Marcus “Manic” McGhee |url=https://www.actionnews5.com/video/2023/06/03/1-on-1-with-marcus-manic-mcghee/ |website=Action News 5 |access-date=July 1, 2025}}{{Cite web |last=Caltabiano |first=David |date=2023-06-03 |title=Phoenix MMA fighter shines in short notice UFC debut, shares journey to the octagon |url=https://www.azfamily.com/2023/06/03/phoenix-mma-fighter-shines-short-notice-ufc-debut-shares-journey-octagon/ |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=www.azfamily.com |language=en}}
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.{{cite web |title=Welcome to the UFC, Marcus McGhee! |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2023/04/29/welcome-ufc-marcus-mcghee/ |website=CageSide Press |access-date=June 30, 2025}} He turned pro in 2020, compiling a 6–1 record in his first seven professional fights.{{cite web |title=Marcus McGhee Sherdog |url=https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Marcus-McGhee-122153 |website=Sherdog |access-date=July 1, 2025}}
=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.{{cite web |date=April 26, 2023 |title=With Brian Kelleher out, Marcus McGhee faces Journey Newson at UFC Vegas 72 |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/4/26/23699520/with-brian-kelleher-out-marcus-mcghee-will-face-journey-newson-at-ufc-vegas-72 |access-date=July 1, 2025 |website=MMA Fighting}} McGhee won the fight via a rear-naked choke in the second round.{{Cite web |last=Theodosi |first=Jamie |date=2023-04-29 |title=UFC Vegas 72: Marcus McGhee Dominates Journey Newson on Three Days' Notice |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2023/04/29/ufc-vegas-72-marcus-mcghee-dominates-newson-on-3-days-notice/ |access-date=2025-07-04 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}} This win earning him the Performance of the Night award.{{Cite web |last=Newswire |first=MMA Fighting |date=2023-04-29 |title=Song Yadong, three others earn performance bonuses at UFC Vegas 72 |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/4/29/23705149/song-yadong-three-others-earn-performance-bonuses-at-ufc-vegas-72 |access-date=2023-04-30 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}}
McGhee was scheduled to face Gastón Bolaños on August 12, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 51.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-12 |title=Matchup Roundup: New UFC and Bellator fights announced in the past week (June 5-11)
|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2023/06/12/ufc-bellator-fight-announcements-matchup-roundup-june-5-11-2023/80776015007/ |access-date=2025-07-04 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}} However, Bolaños withdrew due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by JP Buys.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay |date=2023-07-04 |title=UFC: JP Buys Replaces Gaston Bolanos Against Marcus McGhee on Aug. 12 |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2023/07/04/ufc-jp-buys-replaces-gaston-bolanos-marcus-mcghee-aug-12/ |access-date=2025-07-04 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}} He won the fight via knockout in the first round.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay |date=2023-08-12 |title=UFC Vegas 78: Marcus McGhee Drops JP Buys with Right for Walk-Off KO |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2023/08/12/ufc-vegas-78-jp-buys-vs-marcus-mcghee/ |access-date=2025-07-04 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}} This win earned him his second consecutive Performance of the Night award.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-12 |title=UFC on ESPN 51 bonuses: Da'Mon Blackshear twists his way to $50K |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-espn-51-las-vegas-post-fight-bonuses-50000-damon-blackshear-twister-submission-knockout |access-date=2025-07-04 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}
The bout between McGhee and Bolaños was rescheduled for January 13, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 234.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-06 |title=Marcus McGhee vs Gastón Bolaños Reported for UFC Vegas 83 |url=https://www.itnwwe.com/mma/marcus-mcghee-vs-gaston-bolanos-reported-ufc-vegas-83/ |access-date=2025-07-04 |website=www.itnwwe.com |language=en-US}} He won the fight via technical knockout in the second round.{{Cite web |last=Dewar |first=Val |date=2024-01-14 |title=UFC Vegas 84: Marcus McGhee Improves to 3-0 in UFC, Knocks Out Gaston Bolaños |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/01/13/ufc-vegas-84-marcus-mcghee-gaston-bolanos/ |access-date=2025-07-04 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}} This win earning his third straight Performance of the Night award.{{cite web |last=Hiergesell |first=Dan |date=2024-01-13 |title=Bonuses! Jim Miller cashes in again with co-main event submission - UFC Vegas 84 |url=https://www.mmamania.com/2024/1/13/24037025/ufc-vegas-84-post-fight-bonus-winners-results-ankalaev-walker-espn-miller-ferreira-mcghee |access-date=2025-07-04 |website=MMAmania.com |language=en}}
McGhee faced Jonathan Martinez on November 26, 2024, at UFC 309.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-02 |title=Jonathan Martinez vs. Marcus McGhee joins UFC 309 lineup in New York |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/09/ufc-309-jonathan-martinez-vs-marcus-mcghee-joins-lineup-new-york |access-date=2025-07-04 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}} He won the fight via unanimous decision, the first decision victory of his career.{{Cite web |last=Desjardins |first=Mathis |date=2024-01-14 |title=UFC Vegas 84: Marcus McGhee Improves to 3-0 in UFC, Knocks Out Gaston Bolaños |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/01/13/ufc-vegas-84-marcus-mcghee-gaston-bolanos/ |access-date=2025-07-04 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}
McGhee is scheduled to face Petr Yan on July 26, 2025, at UFC on ABC 9.{{Cite web |last=Law |first=Eddie |date=2025-05-29 |title=Petr Yan vs. Marcus McGhee Official For UFC Abu Dhabi |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2025/05/29/petr-yan-vs-marcus-mcghee-set-for-ufc-abu-dhabi/ |access-date=2025-07-04 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}
Personal life
McGhee currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona.{{cite web |title=The journey of Marcus “The Maniac” McGhee |url=https://rufnation.com/press-release/the-journey-of-marcus-the-maniac-mcghee/?srsltid=AfmBOorjsh8iYDDJl_BlSRxfzurLTXPEvDzKaTBHMe6dGgqRe6YUFO9F |website=RUFnation |access-date=June 30, 2025}} He is married with four kids.{{cite web |title=Marcus McGhee won't squander his opportunities at UFC 309 |url=https://www.ufc.com/news/marcus-mcghee-wont-squander-his-opportunities-ufc-309 |website=UFC.com |access-date=July 1, 2025}}
Championships and accomplishments
=Mixed martial arts=
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (Three times) vs. {{small|Journey Newson, JP Buys and Gaston Bolanos}}{{cite web |title=UFC Fight Night 223 bonuses: Marcus McGhee among $50,000 winners |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2023/04/29/ufc-fight-night-223-bonuses-marcus-mcghee-song-yadong-caio-borralho-rodolfo-vieira/80838310007/ |website=MMA Junkie |access-date=June 30, 2025}}{{Cite web |last=Al-Shatti |first=Shaun |date=2024-01-13 |title=UFC Vegas 84 bonuses: Jim Miller cashes 15th career performance bonus, moves into fourth all-time |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2024/1/13/24037634/ufc-vegas-84-bonuses-jim-miller-cashes-15th-career-performance-bonus-moves-into-fourth-all-time |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}}{{cite web |title=UFC Vegas 78 post-fight bonuses: 4 performance bonuses handed out, no Fight of the Night |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/8/12/23830205/ufc-vegas-78-post-fight-bonuses-4-win-performance-bonuses-no-fight-of-the-night |website=MMA Fighting |access-date=June 30, 2025}}
- Iron Boy MMA
- Iron Boy MMA Featherweight Championship (One time)
- MMA Fighting
- 2023 Third Team MMA All-Star{{Cite web |last=Meshew |first=Jed |date=2024-01-06 |title=MMA’s 2023 All-Star Team: Who were the most violent fighters in each weight class last year? |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2024/1/6/24021721/mmas-2023-all-star-team-who-were-the-most-violent-fighters-in-each-weight-class-last-year |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}}
- Phoenix New Times – Best of Phoenix 2024: Boomtown
- 2024 Best Cannabis Athlete{{Cite web |title=Best Cannabis Athlete – Marcus McGhee |url=https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/phoenix/BestOf?category=12077153 |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=Phoenix New Times |language=en}}
Mixed martial arts record
{{MMArecordbox
|ko-wins=8
|ko-losses=
|sub-wins=1
|sub-losses=1
|dec-wins=1
|dec-losses=
|nc=
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|10–1
|Decision (unanimous)
|{{dts|2024|November|16}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|New York City, New York, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|9–1
|Gastón Bolaños
|TKO (spinning wheel kick and punches)
|UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Walker 2
|{{dts|2024|January|13}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|3:29
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|{{small|Performance of the Night.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|8–1
|JP Buys
|KO (punch)
|UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. dos Anjos
|{{dts|2023|August|12}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:19
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|{{small|Performance of the Night.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|7–1
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|{{dts|2023|April|29}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|2:03
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|{{small|Catchweight (140 lb) bout. Performance of the Night.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|6–1
|Luciano Ramos
|TKO (punches)
|{{dts|2023|January|6}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|1:39
|Chandler, Arizona, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|5–1
|Abe Sellers
|TKO (punches)
|Goat Promotions: Cowboys vs. Cajuns 3
|{{dts|2022|November|10}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|0:24
|Dallas, Texas, United States
|{{small|Catchweight (140 lb) bout.}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|4–1
|Rafael do Nascimento
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|{{dts|2022|July|8}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|3:12
|Phoenix, Arizona, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|4–0
|Rodney Mondala
|KO (punch)
|{{dts|2022|May|14}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|0:58
|Phoenix, Arizona, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|3–0
|Raphael Montini de Lima
|KO (punches)
|{{dts|2021|July|31}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|1:57
|Phoenix, Arizona, United States
|{{small|Return to Bantamweight.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|2–0
|Ricky Maynez
|TKO (punches)
|{{dts|2021|April|25}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|3:51
|Glendale, Arizona, United States
|{{small|Featherweight debut.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|1–0
|Nick Alwag
|KO (punch)
|RUF MMA 38
|{{dts|2020|February|15}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|1:13
|Glendale, Arizona, United States
|{{small|Bantamweight debut.}}
{{end}}
=Amateur record=
{{MMA amateur record box
|draws=
|nc=
|ko-wins=2
|ko-losses=
|sub-wins=1
|sub-losses=1
|dec-wins=
|dec-losses=1
|dq-wins=
|dq-losses=
|other-wins=
|other-losses=
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|3–2
|Stephen Esparza-Owens
|KO (punch)
|Iron Boy MMA 13
|{{dts|2018|November|17}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:16
|Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
|{{small|Won the Iron Boy MMA Featherweight Championship.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|2–2
|Shawn Garrett
|Submission (guillotine choke)
|WFF 40: Night of Champions
|{{dts|2018|October|27}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|0:35
|Chandler, Arizona, U.S.
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|1–2
|Moe Ismail
|TKO (punches)
|Duel for Domination 13
|{{dts|2015|September|12}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|0:39
|Mesa, Arizona, U.S.
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|0–2
|Derrick Brown
|Decision (unanimous)
|KOTC: Alliance
|{{dts|2014|May|26}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|3:00
|Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.
|{{small|Featherweight debut.}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|0–1
|Joshua Medina
|Submission (armbar)
|RITC: Rage in the Cage 163
|{{dts|2012|October|20}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:55
|Chandler, Arizona, U.S.
|{{small|Lightweight debut.}}
{{end}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.ufc.com/athlete/marcus-mcghee Marcus McGhee] at UFC
- {{Sherdog|122153}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:McGhee, Marcus}}
Category:African-American mixed martial artists
Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen
Category:American male mixed martial artists
Category:Bantamweight mixed martial artists
Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Category:Mixed martial artists from Michigan