Marcus McGhee (7-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) will look to start his Octagon career with two straight wins when he meets JP Buys (9-5 MMA, 0-3 UFC) at a UFC Apex event in Las Vegas on Saturday, Aug. 12.
McGhee said his opponent is a “really good fighter.”
“I think he’s had some unfortunate shortcomings in his fights, but I definitely respect his skill set,” McGhee told MMASucka. “I think he has great striking and great grappling. At this level, this is an unforgiving game. If you look at his past opponents, they’ve all been top-caliber guys. Nothing but respect for the guy and his story. So, yeah, just going into it with respect.”
McGhee said he isn’t “attached” to any outcome of the fight, but he said he definitely sees himself finishing Buys.
“Whatever round it happens, my plan is to go in there and find a finish,” he said.
Buys was finished by Cody Durden and Bruno Silva via T/KO and lost a unanimous decision to Montel Jackson.
McGhee said he would take any finish, but finding big knockouts is his style.
“To come out, find great striking spots and finish him striking,” he said. “Again, I’m not attached to that. If anything happens and I’m able to get [Buys] hurt and get the submission, I would definitely be up for that, as well. If it’s my opinion, it will be a spectacular knockout.”
McGhee submitted Journey Newson via rear naked choke in his UFC debut after TKO’ing Luciano Ramos at LFA 149 to earn his spot on the roster. The submission was the first of McGhee’s career – his other six wins are T/KOs.
“My prediction is a knockout,” McGhee said. “I predict that. Whether it’s first, second or third, I definitely think I’m going to find that finish.”
Should all go well against Buys, McGhee said he is hoping for at least one more fight in 2023.
“The plan is definitely to get one more in, whether it is October or November. Or depending on how the fight goes, maybe sooner than that. Absolutely, the plan is to get one more in this year.”
While McGhee has bounced between 135 pounds and 140-pound catchweight bouts in his professional career, he said bantamweight is definitely his home going forward. “The Maniac” said his power translates well at 135.
“Even at 145, I feel like I have a lot power at 145, as well. I definitely feel like it translates at 135 a lot more. I definitely think I bring that power down to 135 with me.”
He’ll look to give Buys a taste of that power on Saturday. The event is set to air on ESPN and ESPN+.
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