To say UFC bantamweight Marcus McGhee was surprised to be offered a fight with Petr Yan at UFC Abu Dhabi this Saturday night would be pretty accurate.
“How can you not be surprised? Honestly anything can happen in this game so there’s not too many times you are surprised,” McGhee told reporters on Wednesday.
“When you’re #13, even when you’re winning like I am, it was definitely surprising. Super stoked for the opportunity.”
McGhee (10-1) was right to be surprised to be offered a top 5 opponent who is on the cusp of a title shot. Being halfway through 2025 however may have made it easier for both men to get matched up.
“I think that both of us were eager to compete and both of us haven’t fought since November. So we’re like ‘hey man we’re not trying to let the summer go by.’ I think that’s why the fight actually ended up manifesting,” he said.
McGhee’s teammate, former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley, holds a win over Yan. Even though they train together McGhee didn’t really go into too much detail with O’Malley about Yan.
“I was part of that camp for him and Petr Yan 3 years ago before I was ever even seen. Been looking at Petr Yan, been a fan of Petr Yan, for a long time,” said McGhee.
“I’m excited to see how my skillset plays out against his.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Marcus McGhee above. He faces Petr Yan at UFC Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
