UFC Veteran Gan McGee Announces Comeback, To Return In September
Heavyweight UFC veteran Gan McGee (12-4) will return to competition for the first time in over four years to take on Jonathan Ivey (27-33) at Xtreme Fighting Championships “Salute to Our Armed Forces V” on September 13th in Tampa, Florida.
After winning five straight bouts between 2001 and 2003 McGee challenged Tim Sylvia for the UFC heavyweight title at UFC 44. McGee lost to Sylvia via TKO in the opening round of the contest but Sylvia would subsequently test positive for steroids and be stripped of the heavyweight title. Despite his opponent’s positive test McGee never fought again in the UFC, instead losing back-to-back fights in PRIDE to Heath Herring and Semmy Schlit before temporarily retiring.
“Tim Sylvia is a great fighter and the videotape doesn’t lie: He beat the hell out of me,” said McGee in a press release announcing his return. “Did the steroids make a difference? Different people have different theories, I guess. But for me, what hurt the most was sacrificing absolutely everything I had to finally achieve my dream of becoming a world champion — and then falling short. And when it became clear that UFC wasn’t going to consider me for a second title shot, my entire world collapsed. I felt like a part of me had just died. It was … beyond devastating.”
“Culturally and personally, being in Japan was an amazing experience,” said McGee. “I mean, from the ceilings to the shower fixtures, everything is so small over there — I felt a little like Godzilla trampling the villagers. But professionally, I never really recovered from the Sylvia fight. Mentally, I lost that edge — that killer instinct. Call it the ‘Eye of the Tiger’ or whatever you want; I was just going through the motions, unfocused and uncaring. And after losing my second fight in the Orient, I swore to myself that I would never step foot in a steel cage again — not until I regain my warrior’s mentality.”
“It took years of introspection and self-discovery, but I finally realized that God made me a giant and blessed me with this mind-blowing power for a reason: to be the most destructive heavyweight champion that’s ever walked on planet Earth,” McGee added. “Writers write, teachers teach — and giants destroy. For so many years I tried to run away from my destiny — to be something I’m not — but that part of my life has come to a screeching halt. My intensity level is off the charts right now; if I’ve gotta tear down buildings, smash open skulls or annihilate whole cities to get another title shot, then that’s what I’ll do. This time around, ‘The Giant’ will stand tall.”
Despite an overall losing record, Ivey has won nine of his past twelve bouts but was defeated by Ricco Rodriguez on July 26th in his most recent bout.
“Everyone likes to run their mouth — right until they’re smashed in the face with a fist or knee,” Ivey said. “McGee should’ve stayed retired.”
The September event will be streamed live on mmaxfc.com.
Tags: Gan McGee, Jonathan Ivey
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lol, he looks like Gillberg.
wow he needs to stop fighting
If he still looks anything like that picture, no wonder the UFC didn’t want him back.
UFC = Worst Heavyweight Division on the planet.
no way bruce lees’s ghost elite xc’s is worse….i mean who do they have bigfoot and thats it…ufc has mir,nog,gonzaga,carwin,cain,fabricio those are some good fighters…3 or 4 of them are top ten heavyweights
The UFC needs to sign him before he gets away. HA
damn how can you cope with having a record of 27-33…I’d say mma might not be for you bud…
yeah thats why baroni went back to cagerage, his record was turning into more losses than wins. and really if you look at tank abbotts record, more losses then wins, guys terrible. isnt vernon tiger white the same too? if i had more losses then wins i would look at it on the bright side, im outclassed and i know i can get out before someone kills me so it isnt for me. some others should think the same thing
giants destroy? way to ruin it for every other giant out there bud. now everyone’s gonna run away from giants when all they want is a friend.jerk, haha
Take it easy on the big guy…The world is tough enough on everybody over 6′3″. I know IU have lost over two years of my life answering the question” Do you play basketball?”
Dietrichh…im 6′6 i get asked the same question all the time ha…i hope he does well!!
gan was no joke when he fought before! his record is 12-4… he has beat some tough guys. he lost to semmy,heath,sylvia and barnett! all tough! at 6′10″ his reach is incredible too! at 32 yrs old he better get started if he is gonna do it!
Pete 90,
6′6″ Here too…The only thing that stopped the question was putting on muscle for track…Then its Football
I hope he is back with the PIT team.
I was at Mandaly Bay when McGee fought Sylvia 4-5 years ago. It was pretty cool because Sylvia punched McGee on the top of the head which caused a hematomen(sp?). Then on the big screens all throughout the place they showed doctors sticking needles in McGee’s head to drain out the blood or something of that nature. It was f-n cool. McGee is a big f-n guy…..but I don’t see him going anywhere fast in the world of MMA.