After scary surprises in surgery, UFC's Ian McCall wants Donald Cerrone-like schedule

At the launch of the UFC’s flyweight division in 2012, Ian McCall was pegged as a fighter who stood among the elite of the division for the foreseeable future.

More than three years later, McCall (13-5-1 MMA, 2-3-1 UFC) has only tasted victory in the octagon twice in six outings. Along with a disappointing UFC record, McCall has been sidelined repeatedly by injuries.

Most recently, McCall was struck with a shoulder injury that went well beyond what his doctors initially thought.

“Twelve weeks ago I had full shoulder surgery,” McCall told MMAjunkie Radio. “They thought it was just a labrum tear. They went in, and I had fully torn my rotator cuff. I tore two labra, and I tore my bicep tendon completely, as well. I tore my bicep muscle a little bit, but it wasn’t bad enough where I needed surgery on the muscle.

“So, basically, my whole shoulder was done, and I just threw my first punch last week after about three months.”

Now that he’s able to throw punches at a bag, McCall is able to focus on a potential return. He said that UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby has been checking in from time to time and is looking to get McCall back into the octagon.

“They keep checking up on me,” McCall said. “Sean Shelby will text my agent and whatever. It’s just one of those things. I’ve had a lot of injuries. Just since signing with the UFC alone, since then, I’ve had four surgeries, two bad infections, and I tore my hip and groin real bad. I haven’t had the best run of luck. I haven’t really been healthy through my whole UFC career.

“Hopefully, one day before it gets too late, I can put on a good solid chain of performances and get a title shot.”

At 31, McCall knows that he is moving into the later stages of his career. Lighter fighters historically don’t have the kind of longevity that fighters at heavier weights have.

McCall wants to get to a point where he can overcome the injury bug and fight on a consistent schedule. He looked to ever-busy UFC lightweight contender Donald Cerrone as his inspiration.

Once he can do that, McCall said, he can roll toward a title shot. That means a potential third fight with current flyweight champ Demetrious Johnson, a fighter McCall once fought to a draw and then lost to in the rematch.

“Let’s say that in 2016 I can get in three or four fights and be healthy, that would be great,” McCall said. “If I could do the Donald Cerrone and fight six times? Great. That would be f-cking amazing. That’s just a lot.

“I have a saying that my mental coach, Vinnie Shoreman, told me a while ago. It’s that time is a commodity that I do not have. I don’t have time on my side anymore. So, I would fight every month if I could. If I was healthy enough and I’m knocking everyone out or whatever, I’ll fight six times. Great. I just need to get healthy, and I need to stay healthy.”

Check out video of McCall’s MMAjunkie Radio appearance above.

And for more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

MMAjunkie Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show, available on SiriusXM Ch. 93, is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia and producer Brian “Goze” Garcia. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.