Court McGee
TUF 11 winner earns unanimous decision win
Court McGee and Dongi Yang went back-and-forth in the opening two rounds with neither doing much to distinguish themselves. In the third, McGee’s conditioning carried him through a tense moment or two, allowed him to pour it on late, and collect a decision victory.
Throughout the first and second, McGee’s more technical boxing and constant forward motion was matched by Yang’s counter-punching ability. Both landed some solid blows, with each mixing in kicks for good measure. The South Korean was able to fend off McGee’s takedown attempts, but it was the Orem, Utah native who was pushing the pace.
Two minutes into the third, Yang caught McGee with a big left that staggered him, following with a running knee, but it seemed to drain the last of his energy reserves. After regaining his legs, McGee turned it up.
With Yang clearly gassed, McGee pushed the pace even harder, coming in off his hands and landing effectively. McGee scored a takedown and briefly transitioned into mount before Yang escaped and scrambled to his feet, but McGee was clearly in control by this point. “The Crusher” collected another takedown late in the frame, and sunk in a deep guillotine choke as the final seconds ticked off the clock.
Though it was a very close fight, all three judges saw it in favor of McGee, with scores of 30-37, 29-28, and 30-28.