Terrance McKinney Eyes Comeback Victory at UFC Saudi Arabia

ORLANDO, Fla. — Terrance McKinney is set to return to the Octagon at UFC Saudi Arabia, facing Damir Hadzovic in what he calls the “perfect” matchup to reignite his career. The lightweight fighter, who last competed in May 2024, is determined to bounce back after a knockout loss to Esteban Ribovics.

McKinney, 30, has spent the past eight months focusing on his health and refining his skills at Fusion XL in Florida. “I wanted to make sure my body was healthy and that I was with the right team to eliminate mistakes,” McKinney said. “Training with guys like Mike Davis, Lucas Alexander, and Phil Rowe has been a huge blessing.”

His upcoming opponent, Hadzovic, is a seasoned veteran known for his striking and solid defense. McKinney sees this as an opportunity to showcase his own striking prowess. “I think it will be a striking fight, and one that the fans will like,” McKinney said. “I see me doing what ‘T-Wrecks’ does and getting him out of there in the first round.”

McKinney, who holds the record for the fastest knockout in lightweight division history (seven seconds against Matt Frevola), is confident in his ability to finish fights. “I’m taking it seriously,” he said. “This is a perfect opponent for me to come back to and get back in my winning ways.”

If victorious, McKinney plans to fight three times in 2025, targeting unranked opponents to rebuild his momentum. “I just want to be strategic and pick the right fights,” he said. “It’s not about being the best fighter; it’s about being a smart fighter. I want to finish the year 3-0 and fight for a ranked opponent next year.”

UFC Saudi Arabia marks a pivotal moment for McKinney as he aims to reestablish himself as a contender in the lightweight division. Fans will be watching closely to see if “T-Wrecks” can deliver another explosive performance.