This past weekend on the main card of UFC Vegas 50, we saw a tremendous lightweight battle. Surging top young contender Terrance McKinney (12-4) was looking for his biggest win to date when he took on Drew Dober (24-11).
Now, McKinney had just picked up his second win in the UFC a few weeks ago. When Dober’s original opponent for last Saturday fell out, McKinney jumped at the opportunity to take the fight on short-notice.
It was a very low-risk and high-reward fight for McKinney. If he lost, he can fall back on the fact that he took the fight on short-notice. However, a win would vault him up the ladder it the lightweight division.
When the fight started at UFC Vegas 50, it sure looked like the gamble would pay off. McKinney hurt and dropped Dober twice in the opening minute. He was going all out trying to finish Dober, but he was a little inefficient and reckless.
Ultimately, Dober survived and McKinney was horribly gassed. Dober was able to land a big shot late in the round and he was able to score the TKO win. It was a wild but fun one at UFC Vegas 50.
What’s next after UFC Vegas 50?
As mentioned, it was a very low-risk fight for Terrance McKinney at UFC Vegas 50. In reality, he wouldn’t have fought someone like a Drew Dober had he just taken the next fight that was offered to him.
However, he wanted to cut the line and took the short-notice opportunity. His gamble almost paid off and he showed the UFC just how exciting he is as a fighter. I just think he needs to clean a few things up and he can be lethal.
McKinney has to learn how to manage his energy better. Lightweight is filled with killers who can take big shots from big punchers. McKinney is not going to get everyone out of there with his first attack. He might hurt contenders, but if he can’t finish them, he has to have the gas to dig down deep.
He didn’t have that at UFC Vegas 50 and it cost him. Now, in terms of next steps, I think he’s good to resume his normal progression. I think a guy like Joe Selecki would be a good next opponent for McKinney. Both are at about the same spot and it would make for a tremendous fight.