UFC lightweight Terrance McKinney took some time away after dropping his last fight, but aimed to get back to his winning ways against Damir Hadzovic at UFC Riyadh on Saturday.
McKinney (15-7) burst onto the UFC scene in 2021 with two highlight reel finishes out of the gate, but since has had a rollercoaster of a run in the UFC. 2-3 in his last five bouts the mission was victory over Hadzovic on Saturday.
Hadzovic (14-7) has been in the UFC much longer than fans realize. Debuting in 2016 he holds victories over Marcin Held, Polo Reyes, and Yandy Medeiros. Visa issues, illness and injury have shelved him multiple times in his run, but he hoped to add McKinney’s name to his resume at UFC Riyadh.
Round 1 McKinney came out hot with the kicks up top and to the body as he looked for a highlight finish. Hadzovic fired back some big shots of his own trying to match his opponent. Hadzovic shot in for a takedown, McKinney grabbed the neck, got reversed and ended up in mount. McKinney went off looking for ground-and-pound, then a choke, then back to strikes.
Hadzovic ate way too many shots for Jason Herzog’s liking and he waved the fight off.
Short night at the office for Terrance McKinney 😤 #UFCSaudiArabia pic.twitter.com/2obfixfgpS
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) February 1, 2025
Official Result: Terrance McKinney def. Damir Hadzovic via R1 TKO, 2:01
