Marcus McGhee knows it’s going to be tough to get a top 10 name in the loaded UFC bantamweight division, so he’s willing to take a slight step down.
McGhee (10-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) has opened his octagon tenure strong with four consecutive wins over solid competition. That has landed him a spot just inside the top 15 of the UFC’s official rankings, and as he looks forward to his 2025 plans, McGhee has set his sights on a matchup with the streaking Aiemann Zahabi.
“Me and Aiemann were already matched up,” McGhee told MMA Junkie Radio. He’s No. 13, I’m No. 14. I feel like that’s a good fight to make. That’s the first one that comes off the top of my head. We never got to clash still, so I wouldn’t mind clashing with him. I feel like there’s some things that need to work their way out in the top, and I’m fine with fighting in the 10-15 department. That’s a name that jumps off to me that I’ve already said yes too, that I would be willing to say yes again.”
Zahabi (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) is one of few fighters at 135 pounds who can best McGhee’s divisional winning streak inside the octagon. The Canadian has reeled off five-straight, including a unanimous decision over Pedro Munhoz at UFC Fight Night 246 in November.
With McGee coming off a unanimous decision triumph of his own against Jonathan Martinez at UFC 309 just two weeks after Zahabi’s performance, the34-year-old thinks the stars are aligned for them to meet.
“I know that with my age I should be pushing to move forward, but I’m already moving pretty fast as it is. Four fights into the UFC and now ranked No. 14. I’ve got to find that sweet spot and just be trustful in the fact that yes, I’m ageing, but I’m still (young) in this game. I don’t have mileage.”
