Marcus Julius McGhee (born May 7, 1990) is an American professional mixed martial artist, currently competing in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
McGhee was born in Detroit, Michigan, and was raised by his single mother, as his father spent most of his life in prison.
As an amateur, McGhee's record was 3âÂÂ2 while winning those three fights consecutively and capturing the Iron Boy MMA Featherweight Championship. He turned pro in 2020, compiling a 6âÂÂ1 record in his first seven professional fights.
In his promotional debut, as a late replacement for Brian Kelleher, who was forced to withdraw, McGhee faced Journey Newson in a 140 pounds catchweight bout on April 29, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 45. McGhee won the fight via a rear-naked choke in the second round. This win earning him the Performance of the Night award.
McGhee was scheduled to face Gastón Bolaños on August 12, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 51. However, Bolaños withdrew due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by JP Buys. He won the fight via knockout in the first round. This win earned him his second consecutive Performance of the Night award.
The bout between McGhee and Bolaños was rescheduled for January 13, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 234. He won the fight via technical knockout in the second round. This win earning his third straight Performance of the Night award.
McGhee faced Jonathan Martinez on November 26, 2024, at UFC 309. He won the fight via unanimous decision, the first decision victory of his career.
McGhee faced former UFC Bantamweight Champion Petr Yan on July 26, 2025, at UFC on ABC 9. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
McGhee currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona. He is married with four kids.
|- |Loss |align=center|10âÂÂ2 |Petr Yan |Decision (unanimous) | | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |- |Win |align=center|10âÂÂ1 |Jonathan Martinez |Decision (unanimous) |UFC 309 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |New York City, New York, United States | |- |Win |align=center|9âÂÂ1 |Gastón Bolaños |TKO (spinning wheel kick and punches) | | |align=center|3 |align=center|3:29 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |Win |align=center|8âÂÂ1 |JP Buys |KO (punch) | | |align=center|1 |align=center|2:19 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |Win |align=center|7âÂÂ1 |Journey Newson |Submission (rear-naked choke) | | |align=center|2 |align=center|2:03 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |Win |align=center|6âÂÂ1 |Luciano Ramos |TKO (punches) | | |align=center|3 |align=center|1:39 |Chandler, Arizona, United States | |- |Win |align=center|5âÂÂ1 |Abe Sellers |TKO (punches) |Goat Promotions: Cowboys vs. Cajuns 3 | |align=center|3 |align=center|0:24 |Dallas, Texas, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|4âÂÂ1 |Rafael do Nascimento |Submission (rear-naked choke) | | |align=center|1 |align=center|3:12 |Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |- |Win |align=center|4âÂÂ0 |Rodney Mondala |KO (punch) | | |align=center|1 |align=center|0:58 |Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |- |Win |align=center|3âÂÂ0 |Raphael Montini de Lima |KO (punches) | | |align=center|2 |align=center|1:57 |Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |- |Win |align=center|2âÂÂ0 |Ricky Maynez |TKO (punches) | | |align=center|2 |align=center|3:51 |Glendale, Arizona, United States | |- |Win |align=center|1âÂÂ0 |Nick Alwag |KO (punch) |RUF 38 | |align=center|1 |align=center|1:13 |Glendale, Arizona, United States |
<small>Source:</small>
|- |Win |align=center|3âÂÂ2 |Stephen Esparza-Owens |KO (punch) |Iron Boy MMA 13 | |align=center|1 |align=center|2:16 |Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | |- |Win |align=center|2âÂÂ2 |Shawn Garrett |Submission (guillotine choke) |World Fighting Federation 40 | |align=center|3 |align=center|0:35 |Chandler, Arizona, U.S. | |- |Win |align=center|1âÂÂ2 |Moe Ismail |TKO (punches) |Duel for Domination 13 | |align=center|1 |align=center|0:39 |Mesa, Arizona, U.S. | |- |Loss |align=center|0âÂÂ2 |Derrick Brown |Decision (unanimous) |KOTC: Alliance | |align=center|3 |align=center|3:00 |Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S. | |- |Loss |align=center|0âÂÂ1 |Joshua Medina |Submission (armbar) |Rage in the Cage 163 | |align=center|1 |align=center|2:55 |Chandler, Arizona, U.S. |
<small>Source:</small>