Marcus McGhee

Last updated
Marcus McGhee
BornMarcus Julius McGhee
(1990-05-07) May 7, 1990 (age 35)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Other namesThe Maniac
Height5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Weight135 lb (61 kg; 9 st 9 lb)
Division Bantamweight (2020–present)
Featherweight (2021)
Reach69 in (175 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Fighting out of Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
TeamMMA Lab
Years active2020–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total12
Wins10
By knockout8
By submission1
By decision1
Losses2
By submission1
By decision1
Amateur record
Total5
Wins3
By knockout2
By submission1
Losses2
By submission1
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] As of July 29, 2025, he is #13 in the UFC bantamweight rankings. [4]

Contents

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. [5] [6]

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. [7] He turned pro in 2020, compiling a 6–1 record in his first seven professional fights. [8]

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. [9] McGhee won the fight via a rear-naked choke in the second round. [10] This win earning him the Performance of the Night award. [11]

McGhee was scheduled to face Gastón Bolaños on August 12, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 51. [12] However, Bolaños withdrew due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by JP Buys. [13] He won the fight via knockout in the first round. [14] This win earned him his second consecutive Performance of the Night award. [15]

The bout between McGhee and Bolaños was rescheduled for January 13, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 234. [16] He won the fight via technical knockout in the second round. [17] This win earning his third straight Performance of the Night award. [18]

McGhee faced Jonathan Martinez on November 26, 2024, at UFC 309. [19] He won the fight via unanimous decision, the first decision victory of his career. [20]

McGhee faced former UFC Bantamweight Champion Petr Yan on July 26, 2025, at UFC on ABC 9. [21] He lost the fight by unanimous decision. [22]

Personal life

McGhee currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona. [23] He is married with four kids. [24]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
12 matches10 wins2 losses
By knockout80
By submission11
By decision11
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss10–2 Petr Yan Decision (unanimous) UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. de Ridder July 26, 202535:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Win10–1 Jonathan Martinez Decision (unanimous) UFC 309 November 16, 202435:00 New York City, New York, United States
Win9–1Gastón BolañosTKO (spinning wheel kick and punches) UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Walker 2 January 13, 202433:29 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesPerformance of the Night.
Win8–1 JP Buys KO (punch) UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. dos Anjos August 12, 202312:19 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesPerformance of the Night.
Win7–1 Journey Newson Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ESPN: Song vs. Simón April 29, 202322:03 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesCatchweight (140 lb) bout. Performance of the Night.
Win6–1Luciano RamosTKO (punches) LFA 149 January 6, 202331:39 Chandler, Arizona, United States
Win5–1Abe SellersTKO (punches)Goat Promotions: Cowboys vs. Cajuns 3November 10, 202230:24 Dallas, Texas, United StatesCatchweight (140 lb) bout.
Loss4–1Rafael do NascimentoSubmission (rear-naked choke) LFA 135 July 8, 202213:12 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win4–0Rodney MondalaKO (punch) RUF 47: Road to ONE May 14, 202210:58 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win3–0Raphael Montini de LimaKO (punches) RUF 42: Road to ONE July 31, 202121:57 Phoenix, Arizona, United StatesReturn to Bantamweight.
Win2–0Ricky MaynezTKO (punches) RUF 40: Road to ONE April 25, 202123:51 Glendale, Arizona, United StatesFeatherweight debut.
Win1–0Nick AlwagKO (punch)RUF 38February 15, 202011:13 Glendale, Arizona, United StatesBantamweight debut.

Source: [2]

Amateur record

Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Win3–2Stephen Esparza-OwensKO (punch)Iron Boy MMA 13November 17, 201812:16 Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.Won the Iron Boy MMA Featherweight Championship.
Win2–2Shawn GarrettSubmission (guillotine choke)World Fighting Federation 40October 27, 201830:35 Chandler, Arizona, U.S.
Win1–2Moe IsmailTKO (punches)Duel for Domination 13September 12, 201510:39 Mesa, Arizona, U.S.
Loss0–2Derrick BrownDecision (unanimous)KOTC: AllianceMay 26, 201433:00 Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.Featherweight debut.
Loss0–1Joshua MedinaSubmission (armbar)Rage in the Cage 163October 20, 201212:55 Chandler, Arizona, U.S.Lightweight debut.

Source: [2]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Marcus McGhee UFC Bio". UFC.com. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 "Marcus McGhee MMA Record". Tapology. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  3. "Marcus McGhee UFC Stats". UFC Stats. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  4. "UFC Rankings". UFC.com. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
  5. "1-on-1 with Marcus "Manic" McGhee". Action News 5. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  6. Caltabiano, David (2023-06-03). "Phoenix MMA fighter shines in short notice UFC debut, shares journey to the octagon". www.azfamily.com. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
  7. "Welcome to the UFC, Marcus McGhee!". CageSide Press. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  8. "Marcus McGhee Sherdog". Sherdog. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  9. "With Brian Kelleher out, Marcus McGhee faces Journey Newson at UFC Vegas 72". MMA Fighting. April 26, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  10. Theodosi, Jamie (2023-04-29). "UFC Vegas 72: Marcus McGhee Dominates Journey Newson on Three Days' Notice". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
  11. Newswire, MMA Fighting (2023-04-29). "Song Yadong, three others earn performance bonuses at UFC Vegas 72". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
  12. "Matchup Roundup: New UFC and Bellator fights announced in the past week (June 5-11)". MMA Junkie. 2023-06-12. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
  13. Anderson, Jay (2023-07-04). "UFC: JP Buys Replaces Gaston Bolanos Against Marcus McGhee on Aug. 12". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
  14. Anderson, Jay (2023-08-12). "UFC Vegas 78: Marcus McGhee Drops JP Buys with Right for Walk-Off KO". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
  15. "UFC on ESPN 51 bonuses: Da'Mon Blackshear twists his way to $50K". MMA Junkie. 2023-08-12. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
  16. "Marcus McGhee vs Gastón Bolaños Reported for UFC Vegas 83". www.itnwwe.com. 2023-10-06. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
  17. Dewar, Val (2024-01-14). "UFC Vegas 84: Marcus McGhee Improves to 3-0 in UFC, Knocks Out Gaston Bolaños". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
  18. Hiergesell, Dan (2024-01-13). "Bonuses! Jim Miller cashes in again with co-main event submission - UFC Vegas 84". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
  19. "Jonathan Martinez vs. Marcus McGhee joins UFC 309 lineup in New York". MMA Junkie. 2024-09-02. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
  20. Desjardins, Mathis (2024-01-14). "UFC Vegas 84: Marcus McGhee Improves to 3-0 in UFC, Knocks Out Gaston Bolaños". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
  21. Law, Eddie (2025-05-29). "Petr Yan vs. Marcus McGhee Official For UFC Abu Dhabi". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
  22. Staff (2025-07-26). "Petr Yan Sails Past Marcus McGhee in UFC Abu Dhabi Co-Main Event". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2025-07-26.
  23. "The journey of Marcus "The Maniac" McGhee". RUFnation. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  24. "Marcus McGhee won't squander his opportunities at UFC 309". UFC.com. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  25. "UFC Fight Night 223 bonuses: Marcus McGhee among $50,000 winners". MMA Junkie. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  26. Al-Shatti, Shaun (2024-01-13). "UFC Vegas 84 bonuses: Jim Miller cashes 15th career performance bonus, moves into fourth all-time". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
  27. "UFC Vegas 78 post-fight bonuses: 4 performance bonuses handed out, no Fight of the Night". MMA Fighting. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  28. Meshew, Jed (2024-01-06). "MMA's 2023 All-Star Team: Who were the most violent fighters in each weight class last year?". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  29. "Best Cannabis Athlete – Marcus McGhee". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved 2025-07-01.