UFC 194 winner Court McGee still fighting for others – and his own recovery

LAS VEGAS – Court McGee’s journey through the world of MMA is nothing compared to the twists and turns his life took as a young man.

McGee (17-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC), 31, returned to the UFC’s famed octagon for the first time in almost two years on Saturday, earning a unanimous-decision over welterweight Marcio Alexandre Jr. (11-3 MMA, 0-3 UFC) at UFC 194, which took place at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the UFC Fight Pass-streamed curtain-jerker.

It was a great moment for McGee, but his focus remained on being an inspiration for others who have struggled with the issues that plagued his younger days, including drug addiction that led to two overdoses. He spent some time during his two years of inactivity due to injury in the role of public speaker, but it’s in the cage where he feels that he can deliver inspiration best.

“I compete to carry the message to people who struggled,” McGee told MMAjunkie following his victory. “I just remember being in a spot where I thought there was nowhere else to go and life was done. That was at 20, 21 years old.”

McGee has certainly proven that there is a way to come back from the lowest of lows, winning “The Ultimate Fighter 11” and making his mark in the 170-pound division division, going 3-1 since his move down from middleweight in 2013.

“I know there are millions and millions of people out there that don’t think there’s a way out,” McGee said. “When I compete, if somehow they hear a little bit of my story and it gives them some inspiration to make the next right decision, whether it’s to not use or – it doesn’t matter. I fight, and I fight for recovery.”

Check out the video above for McGee’s thoughts on his bout with Alexandre Jr., his role as an inspiration and how close he came to retirement.

And for complete coverage of UFC 194, check out the UFC Events section of the site.