Terrance McKinney (born September 15, 1994) is an American professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).[4] A professional since 2017, McKinney also competed for Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA).

Terrance McKinney
Terrance McKinney in 2022
Born (1994-09-15) September 15, 1994 (age 29)
Spokane, Washington, U.S.
Other namesT Wrecks
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb)
DivisionLightweight (2021–present)
Featherweight (2017–2019)
Reach73 in (185 cm)[1]
Fighting out ofSpokane, Washington, United States
TeamWarrior Camp MMA
RankPurple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Pablo Alfonso[2]
WrestlingNCAA Division II Wrestling[3]
Years active2017–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total21
Wins15
By knockout7
By submission8
Losses6
By knockout4
By submission2
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background edit

McKinney was born to and raised by his mother Kitara Johnson, a former gang member. McKinney and his family moved to a military base in Germany, where he was picked on due to being small, and after relocating to Davenport, Washington once his mother joined the US Army, he was picked on for being black. McKinney eventually ended up at Spokane, Washington in 2007, where he took up wrestling.[5]

During his high school years, McKinney was a standout high school wrestler, becoming a two-time WIAA state champion out of Shadle Park High School and a Fargo All-American in freestyle. The sixth-ranked senior recruit in the country, McKinney considered skipping college wrestling to jump into MMA, a sport he had decided to pursue as a freshman, but went on to wrestle at North Idaho College, where he went 31–11 and was the top-ranked athlete during his first year in junior college ('13–'14).[6][5] After a quick stint at NIC, he transferred to Chadron State College and redshirted during '14–'15.[7]

During the summer of 2015, McKinney was extremely intoxicated after abusing LSD, psilocybin mushrooms and alcohol, and the friends he was partying with called the police and left the scene. Once police found him covered in blood (after cutting his neck with glass) and experiencing excited delirium, McKinney was transported to the hospital. In the ambulance, his heart beat stopped and died twice, though he was resuscitated twice as well.[5] In return to the police officers who saved his life, McKinney served as a leader for the Youth Police Initiative. Referring to the incident years later, McKinney expressed:[6]

“I was so embarrassed, to be honest, I was really disappointed in myself. Just seeing my mom’s face in tears. She could have lost me forever, and I’m her first born. That was a huge game changer for me. Seeing my family members crying and sad. Just seeing that inspired me to make a change. I tried to be around them every day, and I still feel they’re hurt. That pushes me to be the man I am today.”

McKinney was not kicked off the wrestling team and went on to be ranked as high as second in the nation in the NCAA Division II level during the 2015–16 season, before transferring to Notre Dame College and dropping out after one semester in order to pursue mixed martial arts.[8][5]

Mixed martial arts career edit

Early career edit

After ending his college wrestling career, McKinney made his amateur mixed martial arts debut in August 2016, winning by knockout fifteen seconds into the first round.[9] A year later, he would turn professional, and went on to compile a 7–1 record before appearing on Dana White's Contender Series 21 in July 2019, losing by knockout to Sean Woodson.[6] After also losing his next fight to Darrick Minner, McKinney took time off and came back in early 2021 in the lightweight division, racking up three knockouts in a row (two in the LFA) with a combined octagon time of less than two minutes in a span of four months, before signing with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.[10]

Ultimate Fighting Championship edit

Eight days after a first round knockout win in the headliner of LFA 109, McKinney made his promotional debut against Matt Frevola on June 12, 2021, at UFC 263, replacing an injured Frank Camacho.[10] He won the fight by knockout seven seconds into the first round, setting the record for the fastest finish in UFC lightweight history.[11] After the event, UFC president Dana White announced that even though McKinney did not receive an official Performance of the Night bonus, he would receive an unofficial one.[12]

On February 26, 2022, McKinney faced Farès Ziam at UFC Fight Night: Makhachev vs. Green, earning a victory via rear-naked choke in the first.[13]

In a fourteen-day turnaround, McKinney stepped in short notice to take on Drew Dober on March 12, at UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Ankalaev, replacing an injured Ricky Glenn.[14] McKinney knocked down Dober twice within the opening minute, but ultimately lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.[15]

McKinney faced Erick Gonzalez on August 6, 2022, at UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Hill.[16] He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in round one.[17]

McKinney faced Ismael Bonfim on January 21, 2023, at UFC 283.[18] He lost the fight via a flying knee knockout in the second round.[19]

McKinney next faced Nazim Sadykhov at UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Bueno Silva on July 15, 2023, losing the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the second round.[20]

Replacing Lando Vannata, McKinney took a short notice fight with Mike Breeden on August 12, 2023, at UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. dos Anjos.[21] He won the fight via technical knockout in round one.[22]

McKinney was scheduled to face Chris Duncan on October 14, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 230.[23] However, Duncan withdrew due to visa issues, and was replaced by promotional newcomer Brendon Marotte.[24] He won the fight via technical knockout just twenty seconds into the bout.[25]

McKinney is scheduled to face Esteban Ribovics on May 11, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 241.[26]

Professional grappling career edit

McKinney competed against Sidney Outlaw in a grappling match at ADXC 2 on January 19, 2024.[27] He lost the match by submission in the first round.[28]

Championships and accomplishments edit

Mixed martial arts record edit

Professional record breakdown
21 matches 15 wins 6 losses
By knockout 7 4
By submission 8 2
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 15–6 Brendan Marotte TKO (knee and punches) UFC Fight Night: Yusuff vs. Barboza October 14, 2023 1 0:20 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 14–6 Mike Breeden TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. dos Anjos August 12, 2023 1 1:25 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 13–6 Nazim Sadykhov Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Bueno Silva July 15, 2023 2 1:07 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 13–5 Ismael Bonfim KO (flying knee) UFC 283 January 21, 2023 2 2:17 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win 13–4 Erick Gonzalez Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Hill August 6, 2022 1 2:17 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 12–4 Drew Dober TKO (knee and punches) UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Ankalaev March 12, 2022 1 3:17 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 12–3 Farès Ziam Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Makhachev vs. Green February 26, 2022 1 2:11 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 11–3 Matt Frevola KO (punches) UFC 263 June 12, 2021 1 0:07 Glendale, Arizona, United States
Win 10–3 Michael Irizarry Ortiz KO (punches) LFA 109 June 4, 2021 1 1:12 Shawnee, Oklahoma, United States Catchweight (160 lb) bout.
Win 9–3 Toninho Gavinho KO (head kick) LFA 106 April 30, 2021 1 0:17 Shawnee, Oklahoma, United States
Win 8–3 Dedrek Sanders TKO (punches) SHP 59 March 6, 2021 1 0:16 Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States Return to Lightweight; McKinney missed weight (156.7 lb).
Loss 7–3 Darrick Minner Submission (triangle choke) MCF 18 October 19, 2019 1 0:57 North Platte, Nebraska, United States
Loss 7–2 Sean Woodson KO (flying knee) Dana White's Contender Series 21 July 23, 2019 2 1:49 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 7–1 Charon Spain Submission (rear–naked choke) ExciteFight: Conquest of the Cage May 18, 2019 1 0:43 Airway Heights, Washington, United States Return to Featherweight.
Win 6–1 Bobby McIntyre Submission (rear–naked choke) Front Street Fights 19 April 19, 2019 1 2:57 Boise, Idaho, United States Won the FSF Lightweight Championship.
Win 5–1 Jeff Coleman TKO (punches) ExciteFight: Conquest of the Cage February 8, 2019 1 0:07 Airway Heights, Washington, United States Welterweight debut.
Loss 4–1 Tyrone Henderson TKO (leg injury) CageSport 52 July 21, 2018 1 0:39 Tacoma, Washington, United States Featherweight bout.
Win 4–0 Brandon Todd Submission (kneebar) CageSport 50 April 28, 2018 3 0:43 Tacoma, Washington, United States Lightweight debut.
Win 3–0 Tyrone Henderson Submission (armbar) CageSport 49 February 10, 2018 1 1:39 Tacoma, Washington, United States
Win 2–0 Armando Best Submission (rear–naked choke) CageSport 48 December 16, 2017 1 1:23 Tacoma, Washington, United States
Win 1–0 Armando Best Submission (rear–naked choke) CageSport 47 October 14, 2017 1 2:15 Tacoma, Washington, United States Featherweight debut.

[31]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Stats | UFC". www.ufcstats.com. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  2. ^ @twrecks155 (August 28, 2021). ""I got my purple belt 💪🏿💪🏿 In the same week I got my second UFC fight announced I also got my purple belt from the big OG triple OG @coachpabloalfonso (...)"". Retrieved March 14, 2022 – via Instagram.
  3. ^ "NCAA Division II Rankings • Jan. 14, 2016". WIN Magazine. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  4. ^ "Terrance McKinney | UFC". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  5. ^ a b c d "After defeating death, Spokane's Terrance McKinney has his sights set on Ultimate Fighting Championship glory | The Spokesman-Review". www.spokesman.com. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  6. ^ a b c "One bad trip: The night Terrance McKinney was killed by drugs then brought back to life". MMA Junkie. 2019-07-22. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  7. ^ "Terrance McKinney - Wrestling". Chadron State College Athletics. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  8. ^ "NCAA Division II Rankings • Jan. 14, 2016". WIN Magazine. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  9. ^ "Northwest FightScene - King of the Cage "No Remorse" - August 18th Photos and Recap". www.nwfightscene.com. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  10. ^ a b Bitter, Shawn (2021-06-11). "Welcome to the UFC: Terrance McKinney". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  11. ^ "Hoping knee is just a tweak, Terrance McKinney has designs on a UFC title some day". MMA Junkie. 2021-06-13. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  12. ^ Marrocco, Steven (2021-06-13). "UFC 263 bonuses: Paul Craig, Brandon Moreno get Performance nods, Terrance McKinney gets unofficial one". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  13. ^ Marrocco, Steven (2022-02-26). "UFC Vegas 49 video: Terrance McKinney submits Fares Ziam for another first-round finish". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
  14. ^ "Terrance McKinney to make 14-day turnaround vs. Drew Dober at UFC Fight Night 203". MMA Junkie. 2022-03-04. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
  15. ^ Anderson, Jay (2022-03-12). "UFC Vegas 50: Drew Dober Survives Onslaught, Comes Back to Finish Terrance McKinney". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-03-13.
  16. ^ Newswire, MMA Fighting (2022-05-12). "Terrance McKinney vs. Erick Gonzalez slated for UFC event in August". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-05-12.
  17. ^ Anderson, Jay (2022-08-06). "UFC Vegas 59: Another First-Round Finish for Terrance McKinney, Who Submits Erick Gonzalez". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
  18. ^ Martin, Damon (2022-10-31). "Terrance McKinney books next fight against Ismael Bonfim at UFC 283 in Brazil". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-11-01.
  19. ^ Shawn Bitter (2023-01-21). "UFC 283: Ismael Bonfim Arrives in Style, floors Terrance McKinney with flying knee". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-01-21.
  20. ^ Dewar, Val (2023-07-15). "UFC Vegas 77: Nazim Sadykhov Submits Wrestle-Heavy Terrance McKinney in Second Round". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-07-16.
  21. ^ Nolan King (2023-08-03). "Terrance McKinney steps in on short notice at UFC on ESPN 51, says manager". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2023-08-03.
  22. ^ Theodosi, Jamie (2023-08-12). "UFC Vegas 78: Terrance McKinney Returns With A Bang, Finishing Mike Breeden Inside First Round". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
  23. ^ Sherdog.com. "Terrance McKinney to Face Chris Duncan at UFC Fight Night on Oct. 14". Sherdog. Retrieved 2023-09-13.
  24. ^ Sherdog.com. "Brendon Marotte Replaces Chris Duncan in Short-Notice UFC Debut Against Terrance McKinney on Oct. 14". Sherdog. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  25. ^ Bitter, Shawn (2023-10-14). "UFC Vegas 81: Terrance McKinney Floors Brendon Marotte in 20 Seconds". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
  26. ^ Sherdog.com. "Terrance McKinney to Face Esteban Ribovics at UFC Event on May 11". Sherdog. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  27. ^ "ADXC 2 Full Lineup And Preview". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  28. ^ "ADXC 2 Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  29. ^ a b "UFC Lightweight Fights - All Stats". UFC. May 20, 2023. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
  30. ^ Lev Pisarsky (2022-12-27). "Sherdog's 2022 Round of the Year". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
  31. ^ Sherdog.com. "Terrance McKinney". Sherdog.

External links edit