411mania Exclusive Interview: Gan McGee
Posted by Dustin James on 08.08.2008
Gan "The Giant" McGee hasn't fought professionally in almost 4 years. However all opponents need to beware because he's making a comeback and it starts here! Come inside and see what Gan has to say about the steroid controversy involving Tim Sylvia at UFC 44, as well as his upcoming opponent who has been doing a lot of smack talking. 411's Dustin James sits down with "The Giant" to try to find out what he's been up too.....
Gan "The Giant" McGee is a PRIDE and UFC veteran who stands at a massive 6'10 and weighs in at around 260 lbs. He is widely known as the guy who fought Tim Sylvia at UFC 44 for the UFC heavyweight title, yet came up short. After the fight it was revealed that Sylvia had tested for steroids (he was later stripped of the title), yet the UFC never gave McGee a rematch. McGee's last fight was a loss to Semmy Schilt at PRIDE's Total Elimination 2004. What has Gan McGee been up to since that loss to Schilt? Well, he's preparing for a comeback with Xtreme Fighting Championships on September 13, but first he sits down with 411mania's Dustin James to discuss the Sylvia controversy, his upcoming opponent who has been talking A LOT of smack, as well as his feelings on the UFC purchasing PRIDE. Join us for this GIGANTIC interview with this enormous personality......
411mania.com Exclusive Interview:
Gan "The Giant" McGee
411mania: First of all, thank you for taking time out of your training to do this interview with 411mania.com! You know I have to start off with this question first. It's been 4 years since your last fight, what have you been up to exactly?
Gan McGee: Well, nothing too extraordinary. I've been working hard, living my life, and getting back into the daily routine of intense MMA training. Mentally and physically, I'm back where I need to be. Ever since I was a teenager, I was either wrestling competitively or battling in the steel cage – and for a while, my shoulder was really bothering me. I had surgery on it, but the real test was how it would respond once I started heavy training. I'm extremely happy to report that my shoulder felt better and better the more I trained, and for the first time in a long time, I'm completely 100% healthy. And that's VERY bad news for my opponent.
411mania: We know you are currently preparing yourself for a comeback with Xtreme Fighting Championships. On September 13 you will face Johnathan Ivey at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida. What are your thoughts on your upcoming opponent who has said himself that you "should've stayed retired"?
Gan: We'll have another little talk after the fight – and we'll see just what he has to say then. ‘Cause after the fight, he'll REALLY wish I stayed retired! Trust me.
411mania: Are you nervous about your upcoming fight, especially considering you have been out of action for 4 years?
Gan: No, not really. I can't wait to get back in the cage. The hardest part about the fight is waiting to step inside the cage and actually compete! It's about five weeks until September 13, right? That's too long! I want to fight now! [Laughs]
411mania: How do you get back into fighting shape after such a long layoff? I'm very interested in what kind of training you are currently doing to prepare yourself for three 5 minute rounds of intense fighting.
Gan: I started slow, sparring and wrestling a little bit. Because I'm six-foot, ten-inches, most people assume I'm just a power-brawler, but I actually trained as a classic college wrestler under the tutelage of the great Dan Gable. Anyway, as I started training again and got back into the daily routine, I felt better and better – no injuries, and plenty of energy to burn. Lots of straight-up condition for 15 minutes at a time, rotating through all the different stations as quickly as I can. Conditioning is always critical in MMA, so I go from elliptical machines to striking sessions to mat wrestling to sparring – and back to the elliptical machines. The key is to try to replicate the energy bursts you'll be putting your body through during an actual fight.
411mania: Most veteran fans of MMA know all about the whole "steroid controversy" when you fought Tim Sylvia back at UFC 44. Sylvia won the fight then tested positive for steroids afterwards. He was then stripped of the title, yet the UFC never gave you a rematch. What are your feelings toward Sylvia? Have they changed in the last 4 years?
Gan: On a personal level, we've always gotten along. In all honesty, Tim is a really nice guy. It's nothing personal… I just think he cheated. Yeah, I know – he keeps claiming that he took those steroids for purely "cosmetic" reasons… but really, what the hell does that mean? He put on a ton of rock-solid muscle right before our fight, and that was obvious just by looking at him. There's a reason why steroids are considered a performance enhancing drug and are banned from every major sport in the free world, right? Yeah, I'd love to fight him again.
411mania: If a promotion such as Affliction, Adrenaline MMA, or even the XFC offered you the chance to rematch Sylvia, would you take it?
Gan: Yeah. Absolutely. I'd love a chance to redeem any of my losses, that one to Sylvia especially.
411mania: Are there any other heavyweight fighters you are interested in facing? If so, we'd love to hear who!
Gan: Every big fighter out there I want to fight. Line ‘em up – and let's see who's the best.
411mania: Who are some of the other fighters in the XFC that you would love to face?
Gan: First of all, I want to permanently put away Johnathan Ivey on September 13. He's a tough guy – a former power-lifter who once humiliated an opponent by doing The Rock's "People's Elbow" in an actual MMA match. And in his last fight, he actually connected with the "Karate Kid" crane-kick. He also shows up at his fights dressed as different horror monsters – Jason, Freddy and the like. But I don't think he'll try that cute crap with me. After Ivey, we'll see who's next. Line ‘em up – I'll knock ‘em down… ‘cause when the fists go up, the lights go out.
The 1st ever "People's Elbow" in MMA?
411mania: Are you interested in possibly training up and coming fighters? Perhaps even at the XFC training facility?
Gan: Y'know, we kind of have a little fighting team here in California where I'm working out. I'm not the main coach or anything, but I really enjoy it. Maybe down the road.
411mania: Where do you personally enjoy fighting more? The United States or Japan?
Gan: I don't really care. Back when I started fighting, honestly, American fans were pretty ignorant; they'd start booing the moment you left your feet and started mat wrestling. So at the time, I enjoyed competing in Japan more because the Japanese were far more educated about submission holds and the martial arts. But that's all changed now; American fans are infinitely more knowledgeable than they were just five years ago. My current mindset is this: I could fight in Tampa Bay, Las Vegas, the planet Mars, or on a deserted island. The only thing that matters is how and when I'm gonna tear apart the opponent who's unfortunate enough to be standing in my way.
411mania: As we know, you are a PRIDE veteran. What were your feelings when you found out that the Zuffa had purchased PRIDE?
Gan: Honestly, I was little bit bummed. I liked that there were two big organizations out there competing for fighters; I felt it was good for the sport, and a positive for all us athletes. But new MMA organizations are springing up – and I'll be fighting for one of them on September 13. XFC drew over 10,700 fans to their last fight card, and I've been told that they're expecting 15,000 fans for my comeback. That's exciting as hell!
411mania: Do you ever get the itch to compete in Japan again? Perhaps for DREAM or World Victory Road?
Gan: I'd love to fight over there again. My experience in Japan was extremely positive. But I care more about who my opponent is than where I'm fighting. Once you lock the door to the steel cage, countries and zip codes don't mean a damn thing.
411mania: Thank you for your time Mr. McGee! We wish you the best of luck in your upcoming fight with Jonathan Ivey on September 13 in Tampa, Florida!
Gan: Thanks, man – I appreciate it. People have always been very supportive of me, and it really does make a difference. I want to thank all the fans at 411Mania for taking the time to listen to me, because without the fans, there would be no UFC, XFC, or even MMA on television. The fans are the ultimate kingmakers, and I'm honored and blessed to have this opportunity to share my thoughts with all of you. You'll have to excuse me, now… I gotta get back to my training, ‘cause some poor soul named Johnathan Ivey has a fire-breathing Giant on his dance card – and I don't want to let him down! And if anyone out there wants to watch a Giant knock a big-mouth into orbit, tune into www.mmaxfc.com on September 13!
