As the XFC (Xtreme Fighting Championship) promotion builds up towards another fantastic night of MMA action in Florida, their star man took time out of his busy schedule to talk about his return. Ladies and gentleman, “The Giant” has awoken.

 

For many, that signals very bad news. “The Giant” is better known as Gan McGee - a man who needs no introduction. Standing at an incredible 6′10 and weighing over 250lbs, McGee is a heavyweight fighter with an impressive reputation.

 

Having beaten some big names throughout MMA, McGee was left “robbed” of the UFC Heavyweight title after losing in the main event of UFC 44 against then champion Tim Sylvia. The controversy didn’t take place in the fight however, it happened in the aftermath - with Sylvia being stripped of the title for testing positive for the banned substance stanozolol.

 

“You’d have to ask him why he did it, but I never really believed his story that he only took them for “cosmetic” reasons” said McGee.

 

“I truly believe that the extra power and the extra muscle that he packed on helped him land that big punch. I think it made a difference.

 

“I mean, there’s a reason why athletes take steroids - and there’s a reason why steroids have been labeled as a performance enhancing drug, right? Obviously, it can give an athlete an unfair advantage.”

 

McGee admitted at the time that he felt Syliva had the upper-hand but when he asked the UFC to consider him for a future title shot, they flat out refused. This devastated McGee. Not only did he lose the drive that earned his well-known nickname, his career came to a grinding halt - losing the next two fights in his professional career in Pride.

 

It was the type of slump that fighters struggle to recover from and for McGee, it was enough for him to walk away from the sport in 2004.

 

“I felt that I was the best heavyweight not only in UFC, but in the entire world,” said McGee. “And you know, going into that fight, I was expecting to fight the Tim Sylvia who was always little soft in the midsection - and he showed up with a brand new physique that was rock-solid muscle. That threw me off.

 

 

 

“That was my moment to shine - the moment I worked for all my life - and I let it get taken away from me.

 

“As a fighter, the last thing you want is for your career to be defined by a loss. That’s a big motivation for me as I step back inside that steel cage and reclaim my lost legacy.”

 

Now McGee will try to re-discover the sort of form that took him within an inch of winning the UFC Heavyweight title. When the XFC returns on September 13, they will be look to maintain their already very impressive reputation with a main-event that features McGee against veteran Johnathan Ivey.

 

While the company might not necessarily be the most famous MMA promotion out there, they are certainly creating a buzz all over Florida and they have done so in ridiculously quick time. With over fifteen thousand expected to watch McGee’s return to MMA and with many more watching over the internet, the company is already becoming a well established place to watch MMA.

 

McGee is a huge coup for the promotion - this is McGee’s first fight since 2004 and his first fight on American soil since the Tim Sylvia fight, and while McGee is very much grateful for the XFC for letting him fight, he has some very harsh words for his opponent.

 

“It’s a great opportunity and I’m gonna make the most of it,” continued McGee. “XFC is a terrific organization, and they’re gonna be damn proud to have me fighting in their cage - ‘cause I’m gonna give ‘em one helluva show.

 

“XFC had over 10,700 fans at their last event in Tampa, and I’ve been told that they’re expecting 15,000 fans for my comeback. I couldn’t ask for a better opportunity.

 

“People can talk all the shit they want before a fight; it doesn’t make a difference. We’ll see what he says after I put a few whoops on his head.

 

“Most of my opponents are much more prone to running their mouth before the fight. Afterwards, they don’t have nearly as much to say.”

 

With McGee now focused on becoming the best in the world, it seems that he’s more than ready to take on the UFC’s elite. He’s clearly a man ready for such an opportunity and believes that the division today is nothing compared to what it was like when he was there.

 

With the likes of Brock Lesnar suddenly emerging as a title contender, the division is light in terms of genuine heavyweights ready for a shot at the UFC belt. McGee believes that he could contribute to that division and he has some choice words for Lesnar.

 

“I’d love to fight him and I think I’d have an excellent shot at beating him,” he added. “Brock is obviously a big, powerful, muscular professional wrestler.

 

“But I don’t see much skill on his part. I’m confident I could beat him.

 

“You know what’s really motivating me as well? Watching all those heavyweight in UFC and thinking, ‘Gosh, I can whip those guys!’

 

“When you’re a professional athlete and dedicated to being the very best, nothing motivates you more than watching others do what you can do better.”

 

It’d certainly take a brave man to bet against McGee. On his day, McGee can match anyone for strength and ability. The last four years may have erased the figure of Gan McGee from many UFC fans minds, but he’ll certainly be ready to let them remember.

 

Most of McGee’s fights have ended in the first round and that’s something that his opponent Johnathan Ivey needs to be prepared for. The fight is guaranteed to be a hard-hitting battle between two guys who know how to throw a heavy punch and only one thing is certain - it’s going to be one of the best independent fights outside of the UFC this year.

 

McGee concluded: “Right now, I feel so good - I just can’t wait to walk down that aisle, step inside that cage, and do what I do best! I’d fight right now if they’d let me!”

 

Not long to wait now, Gan. Not very long at all. XFC: Salute To Our Armed Forces 5 will be taking place on September 13 at the St. Pete Times Forum. For more information visit their website www.mmaxfc.com.

Martin Smith
martin@mmapreview.com