Terrance McKinney took his momentum from a recent 24-second TKO victory and brought it to Miami on Wednesday, leading a youth seminar in coordination with the UFC and the Miami Police Department.
McKinney ran the session for middle and high school students at BOXR Gym, focusing on using his platform to help steer teenagers away from bad paths. Reflecting on the event, McKinney said, "It feels incredible," and added, "It was just a humbling experience to be with the sheriff and all these kids. I know it's not easy growing up. So if we can teach these guys how to stay out of trouble and defend themselves, give them a dream to drive for, is just incredible. ... Like I tell people, if my story can help people become a champion whether that's in life or in a sport, that's what I'm going to be here to do."
The seminar followed McKinney’s March 28 win over Kyle Nelson by 24-second TKO in front of his home state crowd. Describing that performance, McKinney said, "I'm just a fast person. It's always going to look like I'm going crazy a little bit. But we were only going to throw straight punches, get in his face, because we know he likes to throw overhand. When he's uncomfortable, he throws that looping hook. We were going to use straight punches every time. We knew they were going to land. We did our probe, so he'd throw the overhand. We got him with a knee to the liver and threw the head kick and that's all she wrote. Especially in that city, the crowd was erupting. They showed love, and hopefully I can get on that card again one day."
McKinney shared that card with his mentor and teammate Michael Chiesa, who won a retirement bout against Niko Price. "That was incredible and they let me stay and watch Chiesa fight his last one," McKinney said. "It was just full circle. Because I always told him, when I did even know I was going to fight, 'Maybe someday I'll be in the UFC. Who knows?' Just to be able to be on the same card as him is truly a blessing. I almost came to tears. It's just a new experience every time, just to see where God's brought me, it's incredible."
Before signing with the UFC, McKinney set goals to reach the promotion and to use his platform to positively influence teenagers. He considers Chiesa an instrumental figure in his professional and personal life.
Looking ahead, McKinney is closing on a house and is interested in fighting at UFC 329 or during International Fight Week in July. On potential opponents, he said, "Lance Gibson would be cool," and added, "Alex Hernandez got a fight. I really want to fight him (and) a few other names I sent my coach. Maybe Joaquim Silva, a few other names that I've got in mind. One more and then a ranked opponent. That's my plan."
