Professional fighter Terrance McKinney, who has competed in 18 professional bouts, constantly finds new lessons to learn. This fact became evident leading up to his latest match at UFC 283 in Brazil.
Despite not using it as an excuse for his second-round knockout defeat by Ismael Bonfim, McKinney had to overcome significant odds due to an unforeseen pre-match injury.
“I was eye poked during my weight cut, which caused double vision. Knowing that I’d only receive half the check, I chose to risk it,” McKinney shared with MMA Hook. “In the ring, my vision was doubled, throwing me off. Nevertheless, no excuses – Bonfim was on top of his game.”
As McKinney recalls, the eye poke was quite severe initially, but as he entered the arena, he felt ready and confident to fight, believing his vision had recovered.
However, the reality shifted drastically once he stepped into the octagon.
“At first, I thought my vision had improved, but under the glaring lights, it worsened tenfold,” McKinney elaborated. “I was seeing double. It was disheartening, but I thought I could manage.”
Reviewing the fight, McKinney realized how close he was to potentially landing a knockout but missed narrowly, while Bonfim scored accurately.
“Those knee shots were inches away from connecting. Had my eye been fine, I believe I could’ve landed them,” McKinney expressed. “Watching the fight again, I realized how close I was. If only my eyes were fine, I’m sure I could’ve caught him.”
Reflecting on his preparation for the fight, McKinney believes he should have arrived in Brazil earlier, which added to his struggles during the final stages of his preparations.
“The whole experience felt a bit off,” he commented. “I think I should have travelled to Brazil two weeks prior, and taken better care of my body during the weight cut.”
Post UFC 283 loss, McKinney decided to revamp his approach, which involved relocating to Texas to train with UFC welterweight Kevin Holland, thanks to their common manager Oren Hodak.
“Kevin gave me the insights I needed, and I agreed with him,” McKinney noted. “Everything felt right, and I knew it was the right decision.”
McKinney is set to face Nazim Sadykhov at UFC Vegas 77 this Saturday, applying all the lessons he’s learned. He shares a connection with Sadykhov as he trains with Matt Frevola, a UFC fighter McKinney previously defeated.
McKinney remains unsure if Sadykhov seeks revenge for his teammate but appreciates the built-in narrative of the upcoming fight.
“After defeating Sadykhov, and if Frevola wants a rematch, I believe everything will fall into place, and I’ll earn the ranking I deserve,” he concluded. “We’re going for the championship. Despite the setback, I consider it a lesson and believe we have the potential to win the title.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Terrance McKinney’s defeat
What unforeseen event led to Terrance McKinney’s defeat in his recent fight?
During his weight cut, Terrance McKinney suffered an eye poke that caused double vision. Despite his impaired vision, he decided to proceed with the fight and ended up losing.
How did the eye injury affect Terrance McKinney’s performance?
The eye poke led to double vision for McKinney, which worsened under the bright lights in the octagon. It threw him off and significantly affected his performance during the fight.
Who did Terrance McKinney train with after his defeat at UFC 283?
After his defeat at UFC 283, McKinney decided to train with UFC welterweight Kevin Holland, a move he made after relocating to Texas.
What is Terrance McKinney’s plan for future fights?
McKinney plans to apply all the lessons learned from his defeat. His immediate future includes a fight with Nazim Sadykhov at UFC Vegas 77. He believes that despite the setback, he can earn the ranking he deserves and aims for the championship.
Who is the next opponent for Terrance McKinney?
Terrance McKinney is set to face Nazim Sadykhov at UFC Vegas 77, after which he anticipates a possible rematch with Matt Frevola.
More about Terrance McKinney’s defeat
- Terrance McKinney UFC Profile
- UFC 283 Results
- Kevin Holland UFC Profile
- MMA Hook
- UFC Vegas 77 Fight Card
7 comments
thats the spirit, Terrance! Come back stronger mate! We’re rooting for ya!
i think he made a bad call… health first, fight second. shouldve listened to his body imho
eye poke during weight cut? that’s some freak accident. hope he bounces back stronger!
Yikes! Eye injury sounds terrible. And he still went on with the fight? Kudos to McKinney’s spirit.
dang, that’s tough man. respect for mckinney for fightin thru it.
Training with Holland? Good move by McKinney. Could be a game changer for his career.
this just shows the uncertainty of the fight game, one moment you’re fine, next you’re poked in the eye… gotta love this sport!