Episode #117
Court McGee
UFC Champion & Former Heroine Addict Gets Vulnerable On His Fight In & Out Of The Ring
Guest Bio:
Beginning his professional career in 2007, Court McGee racked up a 9-1 record prior to auditioning to appear on Season 11 of The Ultimate Fighter. His only loss was too experienced veteran Jeremy Horn by Decision, and he counted TUF 9 finalist DaMarques Johnson among his victims. After being eliminated in a close Split Decision loss on the show, McGee was given a second chance when another cast member was injured and forced out of the competition. He made the most of it, battling his way to the live finale on June 19, 2010, where he defeated Kris McCray with a Rear Naked Choke to win the tournament and the UFC contract.
A talented and relentless wrestler and submission fighter, McGee utilizes his technical boxing skills to trade with his opponents on the feet before seizing the opportunity to take the fight to the ground, where his physical strength and tenacity forces his opponent into a battle of wills that McGee usually wins. McGee’s win of TUF 11 was highly emotional, as the fighter has struggled with drug addiction and various personal issues for much of his life, and he has spoken passionately about wanting to be a role model to others who struggle with their own personal demons.
McGee would pick up wins over Ryan Jensen and Dongi Yang at middleweight before dropping two straight to Costa Philippou and Nick Ring. McGee would then decide to drop down a weight class after the two losses. He would pick up his first win at welterweight with a decision over Josh Neer and then follow it up with another decision win over Ultimate Fighter winner Robert Whittaker
Show Links
Show Notes
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Introduction (2:08)
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Growing up as a kid and getting into fighting (8:19)
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Battling with drugs and addiction at a young age (23:21)
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Starting to sell drugs to make money to pay for school (28:45)
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First time doing hard drugs and losing everything (36:05)
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Overdosing on drugs to the point where it should have killed him (37:34)
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Relapsing after a solid start to sobriety (40:58)
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Clarity to be sober (42:55)
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Getting into fighting and making new friends (49:41)
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His first fights and starting a young family (1:01:28)
