TLDR
- Marcus McGhee, ranked No. 10, faces unranked Bernardo Sopaj on October 3 at UFC 332 in Salt Lake City
- At 36 years old, McGhee is 11 years older than his 25-year-old opponent but says he feels young in body and mind
- This is McGhee’s second straight fight against an unranked opponent despite his top-10 ranking
- McGhee’s only UFC loss came against current bantamweight champion Petr Yan in July 2025
- McGhee is 5-1 in the UFC and coming off a unanimous decision win over John Yannis in June
Sources: mmajunkie.usatoday.com | youtube.com | sports.yahoo.com
Marcus McGhee will face another unranked opponent when he steps into the octagon on October 3, despite being ranked No. 10 in the world. The 36-year-old bantamweight will take on Bernardo Sopaj at UFC 332 in Salt Lake City.
This marks the second consecutive fight where McGhee has been matched against an unranked fighter. McGhee holds an 11-2 MMA record and is 5-1 in the UFC.
Fighting Younger Competition
McGhee’s opponent Sopaj is 25 years old and carries a 13-3 MMA record with a 2-1 UFC mark. Sopaj enters the bout on a two-fight winning streak, having defeated Ricky Turcios and Timmy Cuamba in his most recent fights.
Despite the 11-year age gap, McGhee does not see himself at a disadvantage. “I’m not a young man as far as my age goes. But I’m a young man in body, spirit and mind,” McGhee told MMA Junkie Radio.
WHY IS THE UFC NOT GIVING MARCUS MCGHEE FIGHTS?
After Marcus McGhee pushed Peter Yan to the brink, they didn’t give him a fight…
FOR 11 MONTHS. HE’S 36 YEARS OLD. pic.twitter.com/AMO1rtKBXf
— Martys Hairline (@MmaUnderdogz) September 10, 2026
McGhee rejected the idea that age would be a factor in the fight. “He’s not fighting an old guy who is on his way out. He’s not fighting somebody who is beat up and broken and who’s been through crazy wars,” he said.
The bantamweight contender described his approach to the sport as methodical and intelligent. He said he still feels like he is growing and has not yet reached his prime.
McGhee is coming off a unanimous decision win over John Yannis in June. That victory kept him in the top 10 of the Meta rankings at bantamweight.
The Path Forward
McGhee’s only UFC loss came in July 2025 against Petr Yan, who now holds the UFC bantamweight title. McGhee went the full three rounds in that fight.
“You really don’t want to be fighting back when you’re this close to the top, trying to make that title run,” McGhee said. “But I keep getting these fights back behind me after fighting the current champion.”
The fighter acknowledged the difficult road ahead but said he plans to keep his head down and continue grinding. He said he understands the game and the politics involved in getting ranked fights.
McGhee explained that no one knew him before he entered the UFC and no one had high expectations for him. “I didn’t do it for the expectations. I did it because I wanted to be the best in the world,” he said.
He believes dominant performances will get him back into title conversations faster. McGhee said he plans to fight a top-10 opponent after this bout and continue working his way up the rankings.
McGhee noted that older fighters have been proving they can still compete at the highest level. “Half these guys might not be here when they get to this age,” he said.
The fighter said he is grateful to be able to test himself at 36 years old. He maintains that every opponent in the UFC is tough regardless of ranking.
McGhee plans to make a statement at UFC 332 and prove why he belongs in the top 10. The bout takes place October 3 in Salt Lake City.
