Tag: Court McGee

Court McGee went 14 years without a finish – until UFC 307

Court McGee got his first stoppage win since 2010 … in front of his home fans … to open the card … and still got no bonus.

SALT LAKE CITY – [autotag]Court McGee[/autotag] beat Tim Means with a first-round submission Saturday to open the preliminary card at UFC 307 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

Take a look inside the fight with McGee, who picked up an emotional win in front of his home fans in Utah.

Court McGee def. Tim Means

Court McGee

Result: Court McGee def. Tim Means via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:19
Updated records: McGee (23-13 MMA, 11-12 UFC) def. Tim Means (33-17-1 MMA, 15-14 UFC)
Key stats: McGee won Season 11 of “The Ultimate Fighter” with a submission. His UFC debut was a submission of Ryan Jensen in October 2010. His win at UFC 307 was his first stoppage victory since then – a stretch of nearly 14 years. Somehow, he still got passed up for a post-fight bonus.

McGee on the fight’s key moment

Oct 5, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Court McGee (red gloves) fights Tim Means (blue gloves) during UFC 307 at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

“It was absolutely incredible. Everything we practiced and trained came out in the fight, so it felt like a practice – just a little more intense. (I had a) little bit of adversity in my head when the rear-naked (choke) wasn’t locked up under his chin. It was pretty close and I elbowed back – a short choke is what I call it – and I switched sides and I was like just going to adjust and stay on top and try to land, and I just decided to hammer down and crank on it and got the win.”

McGee on his first submission in 14 years

Oct 5, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Court McGee (red gloves) celebrates after defeating Tim Means (blue gloves) during UFC 307 at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

“It changes the mental game, committing to a submission. I’ve had a couple of submissions on somebody and let them go to get position and then tried to land shots to open up another submission. But tonight, I just went for it. I had it and it wasn’t on technically great, but I figured, hey, let’s go for it.”

McGee on what he wants next

“I’m uninjured, so I can get right back into the gym. maybe I’ll just keep getting better. I’ll talk to Sean Shelby and we’ll get something going. I should probably take a little bit of time (off) – I just neglected my family responsibilities for eight to 10 weeks, and it puts a lot of pressure on my wife and my three boys.”

To hear more from McGee, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

UFC 307 images

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.

UFC 307 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Program cracks $29 million total paid since Venum deal

The UFC has now paid more than $29 million to its athletes under the Promotional Guidelines Compliance program following UFC 307.

SALT LAKE CITY – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 307 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $407,500.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC 307 took place at Delta Center in Utah. The main card aired on ESPN+ pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and ESPN+.

The full UFC 307 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag]: $42,000
def. [autotag]Khalil Rountree[/autotag]: $32,000

[autotag]Julianna Peña[/autotag]: $32,000
def. [autotag]Raquel Pennington[/autotag]: $42,000

[autotag]Mario Bautista[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Jose Aldo[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Roman Dolidze[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Ketlen Vieira[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Stephen Thompson[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Iasmin Lucindo[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Marina Rodriguez[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Alexander Hernandez[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Austin Hubbard[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Cesar Almeida[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Ihor Potieria[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Ovince Saint Preux[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Tecia Pennington[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Carla Esparza[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Court McGee[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Tim Means[/autotag]: $21,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2024 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $6,302,500
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $29,039,500

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.

UFC 307 video: Court McGee makes quick work of Tim Means at home

Former “TUF” winner Court McGee entered UFC 307 in dire need of a victory and left with a finish of Tim Means in front of his home crowd.

[autotag]Court McGee[/autotag] got the job done at home when he arguably needed to most.

At UFC 307, McGee (22-13 MMA, 11-12 UFC) opened the card at Delta Center on Saturday and defeated Tim Means by submission via rear-naked choke at 3:19 of Round 1.

McGee’s game plan appeared to be executed to a tee. He dragged Means (33-17-1 MMA, 15-14 UFC) from the clinch to the ground, largely avoiding damage, and worked for the back of Means, which he eventually found.

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After he got both hooks in, McGee wrapped his hand around Means’ neck and squeezed. While it may have been more of a neck crank than a choke, McGee got the tap nonetheless.

The finish was McGee’s first since UFC 121 in October 2010. The win snapped a three-fight losing skid for the 39-year-old.

Means, 40, falls to 1-5 in his most recent six.

The up-to-the-minute UFC 307 results include:

  • Court McGee def. Tim Means via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:19

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.

Court McGee def. Tim Means at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City: Best photos

Check out the best photos from Court McGee’s first-round submission win over Tim Means at UFC 307 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

Check out the best photos from [autotag]Court McGee[/autotag]’s first-round submission win over [autotag]Tim Means[/autotag] at UFC 307 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City. (Fight and venue photos by Stephen R. Sylvanie, USA Today Sports)

UFC Fight Night 240 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: 2024 total passes $2 million

UFC Fight Night 240 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that continued after the UFC’s deal with Venum.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 240 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $162,500.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC Fight Night 240 took place at the UFC Apex. The entire card streamed on ESPN+.

The full UFC Fight Night 240 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Brendan Allen[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Chris Curtis[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Damon Jackson[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Alexander Hernandez[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Chepe Mariscal[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Morgan Charriere[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Ignacio Bahamondes[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Christos Giagos[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Charlie Campbell[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Trevor Peek[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Alex Morono[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Court McGee[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Lukasz Brzeski[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Valter Walker[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Norma Dumont[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Germaine de Randamie[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Victor Hugo[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Pedro Falcao[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Jean Matsumoto[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Dan Argueta[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Cesar Almeida[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Dylan Budka[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Nora Cornolle[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Melissa Mullins[/autotag]: $4,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2401 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2024 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $2,005,000
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $24,742,000

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 240.

Court McGee renewed by surgery ahead of UFC Fight Night 240: ‘I didn’t realize how bad my neck was’

Why 39-year-old Court McGee feels like a new man ahead of his return at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 240.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Court McGee[/autotag] feels like a new man ahead of his UFC return.

The 39-year-old MMA veteran finally addressed a major injury that had been bugging him for years. McGee (21-12 MMA, 10-11 UFC) returns to the cage this Saturday at UFC Fight Night 240 against Alex Morono (23-9 MMA, 12-6 UFC). He had neck surgery following his loss to Matt Brown last May, and he feels like it’s given new life to his fighting career.

“I didn’t realize how bad my neck was, and I’ve had a lot of injuries,” McGee said at Wednesday’s media day. “Since 2010, so like 14 years or something like that, that I’ve been fighting with the UFC and these last couple of years I’ve dealt with it through steroid injections and maintenance but when you’re talking about spinal surgery, it’s pretty serious. You have to look at the longevity and the damage. I’ve had other surgeries, too, that I’ve had complications with that put me out. The problem with fighting at a really high level is that you constantly have to be evolving, otherwise you get left in the dirt. So if you’re off for too long, it’s hard to get back with the times.

McGee is currently on a two-fight losing streak, having lost his two most recent bouts by knockout. Despite not having the career momentum, McGee feels “a little more confidence” entering UFC Fight Night 240 after surgery, and is excited to see what he can do now that his neck is “100 percent.”

“The Crusher” expects a war against Morono.

“Fireworks,” McGee said when asked about the Morono matchup. “I mean, he comes blazing with kicks and punches. He adapts well. He’s got some submission finishes. I don’t watch a lot of footage on the person that I’m fighting, but I’ve seen him fight. Like, I remember watching him fight Donald Cerrone. I remember him taking him down. I’ve seen him catch a few people in submissions.

“So I kind of know what my game plan is. I don’t really look or expect certain things from him.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 240.

Alex Morono ‘surprised, but happy’ to get booked vs. Court McGee for UFC Fight Night 240

Alex Morono breaks down his upcoming fight against Court McGee at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 240.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Alex Morono[/autotag] was a bit caught off guard when he was matched up against veteran [autotag]Court McGee[/autotag] – but he’s not complaining.

Morono (23-9 MMA, 12-6 UFC) returns to the cage this Saturday, taking on McGee (21-12 MMA, 10-11 UFC) on the preliminary card of UFC Fight Night 240 at the UFC Apex. It was a matchup he didn’t see coming, but one that he’s glad that he got.

“It’s funny, of everyone on the card, he’s got the most UFC fights and I have the second most,” Morono said at Wednesday’s media day. “I think between the two of us, it’s like 40 UFC fights, which is awesome. I was surprised, but happy to get that name and fight a vet.

“I’ve been watching him since ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ and pretty much all of his fights since, and he’s a gamer. He’s gone the distance with a lot of high level guys, and I’m expecting this fight to be gritty, and I do expect it to go all three rounds.”

Morono sees this fight ending in a decision, given how tough and experienced the 39-year-old McGee is. Yet, despite the tough task, Morono is looking to put away the veteran.

“He’s got so much octagon time, that’s a harder question to really analyze and answer more than you think,” Morono said when asked about the matchup.” I’m always going to look for the KO. We’re going to grapple in this fight, that I guarantee. A KO is a gold medal, a submission is a silver medal, and a decision is a bronze medal, so I’m just looking to get that gold, for sure.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 240.

Matchup Roundup: New UFC, PFL, Bellator fights announced in the past week (Feb. 26-March 3)

Check out the UFC, PFL and Bellator fights that were first reported or confirmed by MMA Junkie in the past week.

MMA fight announcements are hard to follow. With so many outlets and channels available, it’s nearly impossible to organize.

But here at MMA Junkie, we’ve got your back.

Each week, we’ll compile all the newly surfaced fights in one spot. Every Monday, expect a feature listing everything you might have missed from the UFC, PFL, and Bellator.

Here are the fight announcements that were broken or confirmed by MMA Junkie or officially announced by the promotions from Feb. 26-March 3.

‘TUF 11’ winner Court McGee booked for next UFC fight vs. Alex Morono

A member of the UFC roster since 2010, Court McGee isn’t done yet as he’s been booked vs. fellow vet Alex Morono.

Two veteran welterweights will collide at the first UFC Apex card in April.

“TUF 11” winner [autotag]Court McGee[/autotag] and [autotag]Alex Morono[/autotag] will fight at an upcoming UFC Fight Night event on April 6 in Las Vegas, the promotion announced Thursday.

McGee (21-12 MMA, 10-11 UFC) has had a rough go in his most recent pair of outings. Following unanimous decision victories over Claudio Silva and Ramiz Brahimaj, McGee was knocked out violently in back-to-back outings vs. Jeremiah Wells and Matt Brown.

Morono (23-9 MMA, 12-6 UFC) aims to bounce back from a unanimous decision loss to Joaquin Buckley in October. He’s 5-2 in his most recent seven, but also 1-2 in his most recent three.

With the addition, the UFC Fight Night lineup for April 6 includes:

  • Marvin Vettori vs. Brendan Allen
  • Alexander Hernandez vs. Damon Jackson
  • Germaine de Randamie vs. Norma Dumont
  • Cesar Almeida vs. Josh Fremd
  • Court McGee vs. Alex Morono
  • Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Christos Giagos
  • Nora Cornolle vs. Melissa Mullins
  • Lukasz Brzeski vs. Valter Walker
  • Cynthia Calvillo vs. Piera Rodriguez
  • Heili Alateng vs. Victor Hugo
  • Dan Argueta vs. Jean Matsumoto
  • Charlie Campbell vs. Trevor Peek
  • Jose Johnson vs. Luis Rocha

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for the UFC Fight Night event on April 6.

UFC on ABC 4 medical suspensions: Four fighters out indefinitely

Thirteen of the 22 competitors at UFC on ABC 4 were suspended due to injuries sustained in their bouts Saturday in Charlotte, N.C.

Four fighters are out indefinitely due to injuries sustained at UFC on ABC 4, which took place Saturday at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C.

A document MMA Junkie obtained Tuesday from North Carolina Boxing and Combat Sports interim executive director Alvin Coley showed medical suspensions were handed out to 13 of the 22 competitors on the card.

[autotag]Tim Means[/autotag], [autotag]Mandy Bohm[/autotag], [autotag]Ji Yeon Kim[/autotag], and [autotag]Gabe Green[/autotag] are out indefinitely until their injuries are cleared by a physician.

The list of fighters who exited UFC on ABC 4 without a medical suspension include both headliners, [autotag]Jailton Almeida[/autotag] and [autotag]Jairzinho Rozenstruik[/autotag].

Scroll below to see the full list of UFC on ABC 4 medical suspensions. All suspended fighters are eligible to return prior to the conclusion of the durations handed out should they get cleared beforehand.