After the crushing loss to Sylvia, and the even more crushing news that UFC wouldn't give him another crack at the title, McGee went to fight in PRIDE, where he lost two in a row. About that time in his life, McGee had this to say: “Tim Sylvia is a great fighter and the video tape doesn’t lie, he beat the hell out of me. Did the steroids make a difference? Different people have different theories, I guess. But for me, what hurt the most was sacrificing absolutely everything I had to finally achieve my DREAM of becoming a world champion, and then falling short. And when it became clear that UFC wasn’t going to consider me for a second title shot, my entire world collapsed. I felt like a part of me had just died. It was beyond devastating.”

McGee gets a shot at redemption when he takes part in Xtreme Fighting Championships (XFC)’s “Salute to Our Armed Forces V” at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Fla on Sept 13.

McGee had this to say about his return, "My killer instinct is back, and trust me – it’s never been deadlier."

His opponent, journeyman Jonathan Ivey (27-34), also had a few words regarding McGee's return to the sport, "Everyone likes to run their mouth – right until they’re smashed in the face with a fist or knee, McGee should’ve stayed retired.”

Sounds like fans in the Tampa area are in for a treat come September.

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