Gan McGee
| Gan McGee | |
|---|---|
| Born |
November 20, 1976 Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. |
| Other names | The Giant |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Weight | 260 lb (118 kg; 18 st 8 lb) |
| Division |
Heavyweight (265 lb) Super Heavyweight (265 lb+) |
| Fighting out of | San Luis Obispo, California |
| Team | The Pit |
| Years active | 1999-2004, 2008-2009 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 18 |
| Wins | 13 |
| By knockout | 8 |
| By submission | 4 |
| Unknown | 1 |
| Losses | 5 |
| By knockout | 3 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 1 |
| University | University of Iowa |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Gan McGee (born November 20, 1976) is an American mixed martial artist who has competed for the UFC, PRIDE, WEC and the XFC.
McGee was born in Bismarck, North Dakota to Marguerite McGee (nee Ohde). McGee dominated on the wrestling team at Ukiah High School and then continued his career at California Polytechnic State University.
On September 26, 2003, McGee earned a shot at the UFC Heavyweight Championship at UFC 44: Undisputed against 6 ft. 8 in. Tim Sylvia in a match that was dubbed "The Battle of the Giants." McGee lost this fight via TKO in the first round. After the fight, Tim Sylvia tested positive for steroids during a mandatory post-fight drug test and was stripped of his title. Even though his opponent was caught using performance-enhancing drugs, UFC denied McGee a rematch for the championship. As a result, McGee lost his passion for fighting.
"Tim Sylvia is a great fighter and the video tape doesn't lie, he beat the hell out of me," said McGee from his San Luis Obispo training camp. "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."
Gan McGee then left UFC and joined the Japan-based PRIDE MMA organization. But, by his own admission, his heart was no longer in the fight game: "Culturally and personally, being in Japan was an amazing experience," McGee stated. "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 (sic) in a steel cage again—not until I regain my warrior's mentality."
...
Wikipedia