Tag: Marcus McGhee

Marcus McGhee hopes to revisit UFC fight vs. Aiemann Zahabi: ‘I’ve already said yes’

Marcus McGhee has previously accepted a UFC fight with Aiemann Zahabi, and now he hopes the promotion will move forward with the matchup.

[autotag]Marcus McGhee[/autotag] knows it’s going to be tough to get a top 10 name in the loaded UFC bantamweight division, so he’s willing to take a slight step down.

McGhee (10-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) has opened his octagon tenure strong with four consecutive wins over solid competition. That has landed him a spot just inside the top 15 of the UFC’s official rankings, and as he looks forward to his 2025 plans, McGhee has set his sights on a matchup with the streaking [autotag]Aiemann Zahabi[/autotag].

“Me and Aiemann were already matched up,” McGhee told MMA Junkie Radio. He’s No. 13, I’m No. 14. I feel like that’s a good fight to make. That’s the first one that comes off the top of my head. We never got to clash still, so I wouldn’t mind clashing with him. I feel like there’s some things that need to work their way out in the top, and I’m fine with fighting in the 10-15 department. That’s a name that jumps off to me that I’ve already said yes too, that I would be willing to say yes again.”

Zahabi (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) is one of few fighters at 135 pounds who can best McGhee’s divisional winning streak inside the octagon. The Canadian has reeled off five-straight, including a unanimous decision over Pedro Munhoz at UFC Fight Night 246 in November.

With McGee coming off a unanimous decision triumph of his own against Jonathan Martinez at UFC 309 just two weeks after Zahabi’s performance, the34-year-old thinks the stars are aligned for them to meet.

“I know that with my age I should be pushing to move forward, but I’m already moving pretty fast as it is. Four fights into the UFC and now ranked No. 14. I’ve got to find that sweet spot and just be trustful in the fact that yes, I’m ageing, but I’m still (young) in this game. I don’t have mileage.”

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MMA Junkie Radio #3520: UFC 310 preview, Marcus McGhee interview, more

Check out the latest episode of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze.”

Thursday’ episode of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here.

On Episode 3,520, the fellas preview the final pay-per-view of the year, UFC 310, which takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. They also welcome in bantamweight [autotag]Marcus McGhee[/autotag], who is undefeated through four fights in the UFC. Tune in!

UFC 309 medical suspensions: Stipe Miocic out for 60 days, several others up to three months

From one week to three months, check out the full list of medical suspensions handed out following UFC 309 in New York.

Every fighter who competed this past Saturday at UFC 309 has been given a medical suspension following their bouts.

Jhonata Diniz, Mickey Gall and Bassil Hafez were knocked out in their fights and were among four fighters who received 90-day suspensions, which was the longest period issued. The fourth fighter who received 90 days was James Llontop, who went the distance with Mauricio Ruffy, but was on the receiving end of multiple damaging strikes over three rounds.

The event, which took place at Madison Square Garden in New York, was headlined by a heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and former champion Stipe Miocic. Although he announced his retirement following the main event, Miocic was given a 60-day suspension for his TKO loss to Jones.

Wednesday, MMA Junkie acquired a full list of medical suspensions from the New York State Department of State, which oversaw the event. Check out the full list below. The suspensions ranged from a 7-day mandatory rest period to 90 days. Any fighter given 30-90 days may return sooner if cleared by a doctor (unless noted otherwise).

Eduarda Moura def. Veronica Hardy

Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; Veronica Hardy (red gloves) fights Eduarda Moura (blue gloves) in the flyweight bout during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

[autotag]Eduarda Moura[/autotag]: 7 days mandatory rest

[autotag]Veronica Hardy[/autotag]: 7 days mandatory rest

Oban Elliott def. Bassil Hafez

Ò(Editors Note: Graphic Content, Blood)Ó Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; Bassil Hafez (red gloves) fights Oban Elliott (blue gloves) in the welterweight bout during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

[autotag]Oban Elliott[/autotag]: 30-day suspension

[autotag]Bassil Hafez[/autotag]: 90-day suspension with neurology clearance

Ramiz Brahimaj def. Mickey Gall

Ramiz Brahimaj def Mickey Gall UFC 309

[autotag]Ramiz Brahimaj[/autotag]: 7 days mandatory rest

[autotag]Mickey Gall[/autotag]: 90-day suspension with neurology clearance

Marcin Tybura def. Jhonata Diniz

Ò(Editors Note: Graphic Content, Blood)Ó Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; Jhonata Diniz (blue gloves) reacts after losing to Marcin Tybura (red gloves, not pictured) in the Heavyweight bout during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

[autotag]Marcin Tybura[/autotag]: 7 days mandatory rest

[autotag]Jhonata Diniz[/autotag]: 90-day suspension

David Onama def. Roberto Romero

Ò(Editors Note: Graphic Content, Blood)Ó Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; David Onama (red gloves) fights Roberto Romero (blue gloves) in the lightweight bout during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

[autotag]David Onama[/autotag]: 30-day suspension

[autotag]Roberto Romero[/autotag]: 30-day suspension

Jim Miller def. Damon Jackson

[autotag]Jim Miller[/autotag]: 7 days mandatory rest

[autotag]Damon Jackson[/autotag]: 30-day suspension

Marcus McGhee def. Jonathan Martinez

Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; Jonathan Martinez (red gloves) fights Marcus Mcghee (blue gloves) in the bantamweight bout during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

[autotag]Marcus McGhee[/autotag]: 30-day suspension

[autotag]Jonathan Martinez[/autotag]: 7 days mandatory rest

Mauricio Ruffy def. James Llontop

Ò(Editors Note: Graphic Content, Blood)Ó Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; Mauricio Ruffy (red gloves) fights James Llontop (blue gloves) in the catchweight bout during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

[autotag]Mauricio Ruffy[/autotag]: 30-day suspension

[autotag]James Llontop[/autotag]: 90-day suspension

Viviane Araujo def. Karine Silva

Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; Viviane Araujo (red gloves) fights Karine Silva (blue gloves) in the WomenÕs Flyweight bout during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

[autotag]Viviane Araujo[/autotag]: 30-day suspension

[autotag]Karine Silva[/autotag]: 30-day suspension

Bo Nickal def. Paul Craig

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 16: (R-L) Bo Nickal of the United States of America punches Paul Craig of Scotland in a middleweight fight during the UFC 309 event at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

[autotag]Bo Nickal[/autotag]: 7 days mandatory rest

[autotag]Paul Craig[/autotag]: 30-day suspension

Charles Oliveira def. Michael Chandler

Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; Charles Oliveira (red gloves) fights Michael Chandler (blue gloves) in the lightweight bout during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

[autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag]: 30-day suspension

[autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag]: 30-day suspension

Jon Jones def. Stipe Miocic

UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones (R) fights challenger Stipe Miocic during their heavyweight title bout at Madison Square Garden in New York, on November 16, 2024. (Photo by Kena Betancur / AFP) (Photo by KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images)

[autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag]: 7 days mandatory rest

[autotag]Stipe Miocic[/autotag]: 60-day suspension

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.

Marcus McGhee eyes Jose Aldo after Martinez’s UFC 309 half-horse kicks

Marcus McGhee won for the sixth straight time – but failed to get a post-fight bonus for the first time in his four-fight UFC run.

NEW YORK – [autotag]Marcus McGhee[/autotag] beat Jonathan Martinez with a unanimous decision Saturday to close out the preliminary card at UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Take a look inside the fight with McGhee, who won for the sixth straight time – but failed to get a post-fight bonus for the first time in his four-fight UFC run.

Marcus McGhee def. Jonathan Martinez

Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; Jonathan Martinez (red gloves) fights Marcus Mcghee (blue gloves) in the bantamweight bout during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Result: Marcus McGhee def. Jonathan Martinez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Updated records: McGhee (10-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC), Martinez (19-6 MMA, 10-5 UFC)
Key stats: McGhee doubled up on Martinez in the striking department and threw more than twice as many strikes, as well.

McGhee on the fight’s key moment

Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; Jonathan Martinez (red gloves) fights Marcus Mcghee (blue gloves) in the bantamweight bout during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

“Physically, I still feel pretty good. Obviously, the leg is a little bit beat up. Man, that guy kicks like a horse. I think he is a half horse, half man – I swear. You see those thighs on that guy, man? Super impressive. I feel like it’s actually pretty good and he just landed one thing and was really accurate where he landed at. It was the same spot twice. And I was like, ‘Gosh, man, I’m pretty good about taking that thing away, and you still found it, man.’ Lucky enough, I kept finding that right hand, so it ended up paying off.”

McGhee on where he’d love to fight

Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; Jonathan Martinez (red gloves) fights Marcus Mcghee (blue gloves) in the bantamweight bout during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

“I don’t want to go to Brazil. Like (to fight) anybody – I don’t want to. I’m sorry. There’s some people are like, ‘Yo, I want to go travel (to Brazil). Not me. Not me, man. I don’t want to go travel over to Brazil and fight over there. I love Brazilians. That’s all good and gravy. But man, I’m not trying to do all that.

“Japan – I will say that I just love the Japanese culture, so I would love to go to Japan. But that’s about as deep as it gets. New York, it’s already done. That’s checked off the list. So honestly, Arizona. I want UFC to come back. I want a full turnaround. Let’s fight in Arizona.”

McGhee on what he wants next

Oct 5, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Jose Aldo (red gloves) hugs Mario Bautista (blue gloves) after their fight during UFC 307 at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

“I wouldn’t be surprised if they gave me Jose (Aldo). … We’re both right there next to each other in the rankings. He’s a little bit older. I’m a little bit older. I wouldn’t doubt that that’d be a fight that they make. … Why don’t we get Jose Aldo back in Arizona? That sounds good. That’s asking a whole lot. And that’s kind of disrespectful to that man. I don’t know what. I’m talking about.”

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

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.

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UFC 309 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Jon Jones leads card in potential final bout

Jon Jones’ $42,000 led the Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts for UFC 309 in New York.

NEW YORK – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 309 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $262,500.

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 309 took place at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and ESPN+.

The full UFC 309 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag]: $42,000
[autotag]Stipe Miocic[/autotag]: $32,000

[autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag]: $21,000
[autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Viviane Araujo[/autotag]: $11,000
[autotag]Karine Silva[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Bo Nickal[/autotag]: $4,500
[autotag]Paul Craig[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Mauricio Ruffy[/autotag]: $4,000
[autotag]James Llontop[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Jonathan Martinez[/autotag]: $11,000
[autotag]Marcus McGhee[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Jim Miller[/autotag]: $21,000
[autotag]Damon Jackson[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]David Onama[/autotag]: $6,000
[autotag]Roberto Romero[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Marcin Tybura[/autotag]: $21,000
[autotag]Jhonata Diniz[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Mickey Gall[/autotag]: $11,000
[autotag]Ramiz Brahimaj[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Bassil Hafez[/autotag]: $4,000
[autotag]Oban Elliott[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Eduarda Moura[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Veronica Hardy[/autotag]: $6,000

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: $7,543,500
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $30,280,500

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.

Marcus McGhee def. Jonathan Martinez at UFC 309: Best photos

Check out the best photos from Marcus McGhee’s unanimous decision win over Jonathan Martinez at UFC 309.

Check out the best photos from [autotag]Marcus McGhee[/autotag]’s unanimous decision win over [autotag]Jonathan Martinez[/autotag] at UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Photos by Brad Penner, Imagn Images; UFC; MMA Junkie)

UFC 309 full fight card announced for Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic event

How would you rate UFC 309 on a scale of 1-10?

With UFC 308 in the books, the promotion’s attention turns to its yearly New York pay-per-view.

UFC 309 takes place Nov. 16 at Madison Square Garden and is headlined by a highly anticipated heavyweight title fight between champion [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] and former champion [autotag]Stipe Miocic[/autotag].

During the UFC 308 broadcast Saturday, the promotion officially announced the full 13-fight lineup with five main card fights and eight prelims. The main card takes place on ESPN+ pay-per-view after prelims on ESPNews and ESPN+.

In the co-main event, lightweight stars [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] and [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] throw down in a five-round bout. The main card rounds out with [autotag]Viviane Araujo[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Karine Silva[/autotag], [autotag]Paul Craig[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Bo Nickal[/autotag], and [autotag]Eryk Anders[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Chris Weidman[/autotag].

The featured prelim is currently half-unknown with [autotag]Mauricio Ruffy[/autotag] in need of a replacement for the withdrawn [autotag]Charlie Campbell[/autotag].

Other notable prelims include [autotag]Nikita Krylov[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Azamat Murzakanov[/autotag], [autotag]Jonathan Martinez[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Marcus McGhee[/autotag], and [autotag]Damon Jackson[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Jim Miller[/autotag].

Check out the full UFC 309 lineup below:

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET)

  • Champion Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic – for heavyweight title
  • Michael Chandler vs. Charles Oliveira – five-round bout
  • Viviane Aruajo vs. Karine Silva
  • Paul Craig vs. Bo Nickal
  • Eryk Anders vs. Chris Weidman

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPNews, 8 p.m. ET)

  • Mauricio Ruffy vs. TBA
  • Nikita Krylov vs. Azamat Murzakanov
  • Jonathan Martinez vs. Marcus McGhee
  • Damon Jackson vs. Jim Miller

EARLY PRELIMINARY CARD

  • Lucas Almeida vs. David Onama
  • Ramiz Brahimaj vs. Mickey Gall
  • Oban Elliott vs. Bassil Hafez
  • Veronica Hardy vs. Eduarda Moura

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.

Jonathan Martinez vs. Marcus McGhee joins UFC 309 lineup in New York

A bantamweight bout between Jonathan Martinez and Marcus McGhee is the latest addition to November’s UFC 309 lineup.

A bantamweight bout between [autotag]Jonathan Martinez[/autotag] and [autotag]Marcus McGhee[/autotag] is the latest addition to November’s UFC 309 lineup.

Iridium Sports Agency, which manages both Martinez (19-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC) and McGhee (9-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC), announced the matchup Monday on social media.

UFC 309 takes place Madison Square Garden in New York. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

Martinez, an honorable mention in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie bantamweight rankings, recently had his six-fight winning streak snapped by UFC Hall of Famer Jose Aldo at UFC 301 in May. The 30-year-old told MMA Junkie he was “starstruck” in the fight, but plans to rebound in strong fashion.

He will have to do so against the surging McGee, 34, who has impressed with three consecutive stoppage wins to begin his octagon tenure.

The latest UFC 309 lineup now includes:

  • Eryk Anders vs. Chris Weidman
  • Viviane Araujo vs. Karine Silva
  • Nikita Krylov vs. Azamat Murzakanov
  • Veronica Hardy vs. Eduarda Moura
  • Jonathan Martinez vs. Marcus McGhee

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.

Marcus McGhee’s high standards outside the cage give him permission to hit ‘Maniac’ mode inside it

Marcus McGhee got his third post-fight bonus in three UFC fights when he took out Gaston Bolanos at UFC Fight Night 234.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Marcus McGhee[/autotag] beat Gaston Bolanos with a second-round TKO Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 234 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with McGhee, who won for the fifth straight time and got his third post-fight bonus in three UFC fights.

UFC Fight Night 234 post-event facts: Jim Miller adds more records to epic resume

Check out all the facts from UFC Fight Night 234, which saw Jim Miller grow his all-time wins record and add more history to his resume.

The UFC returned from its holiday hiatus on Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, and although it wasn’t the most stacked lineup, UFC Fight Night 234 delivered seven stoppage results out of 11 bouts.

In the main event, Magomed Ankalaev (19-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) produced definitive closure on his rivalry with Johnny Walker (21-8 MMA, 7-5 UFC), scoring a second-round knockout in their light heavyweight rematch to potentially set himself up for a championship opportunity.

For more on the numbers behind the headliner, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s post-event facts from UFC Fight Night 234.