UFC 28: High Stakes Preview

Gan McGee vs Josh Barnett (Superheavyweights)

Speaking of 6'10" 300lb athletes, we have one on the card! SLO Kickboing's Gan McGee is the largest human to ever enter the Octagon. In fact, it hasn't been since the early days of the UFC with Emmanuel Yarbourough (6'8" 618lbs, UFC3) and Paul Varelans (6'8" 300lbs, UFCs 6-8, UU'95 & UU'96) that we've had an actual giant in the ring. Don't be fooled, Gan is no "freakshow," he's for real.McGee has fought in some smaller venue shows like Warrior's Challenge, the Cobra Challenge and the Bas Rutten Invitational where he beat 3-time UFC veteran Sam Adkins. He's also gone at it with fellow newcomer Aaron Brink and recently made a name for himself winning the IFC Heavyweight Tournament vanquishing the likes of Paul Buenatello (Extreme Challenge and USWF veteran) and 3-time UFC veteran Tim Lajcik. Gan is ready for the big show and it was only a matter of time before Pride came knocking on this guy's door. Getting to him first is a W for the UFC in my opinion.

McGee will face Josh Barnett, an AMC Pankration product under the guidance of Matt Hume. Barnett is 4-0 in MMA and has had some impressive wins in the Hawaiian Superbrawl, most notably over Bobby Hoffman (UFC 27) and UFC triple-crown winner (UFC 5 tournament, Ultimate Ultimate '95 and the UFC 9 Superfight) Dan Severn. Barnett also competed in the '99 and '00 Abu Dhabi Submisison Wrestling Championships, losing both years in the opening round to the eventual champion of both tournaments, Mark Kerr.

MY PICK: This one is tough to call because both men will be pumped for their "big show" debut. McGee obviously has the size advantage and uses his knees so although Barnett has done Muay Thai, the striking advantage would go to McGee too. Barnett has three submissions in his four wins (including Severn) so Josh will be dangerous on the ground and this one is definitely going to the ground. I feel it will be Barnett by submission.

The Bantamweight division will open it up so that competitors155lbs and under can compete with lighter opponents in their same weight bracket. Conceivably, this would open the doors to fighters like Royler Gracie or Shooto superstar Rumina Sato who has expressed an interest in competing in the event. Sato is considered by many to be pound-for-pound, the best representative of the sport but both he and Gracie may command more financially than the UFC is capable of spending right now. The inaugural participants for the birth of this division are both UFC veterans. This will be John Lewis' second appearance and Jens Pulver, a relative newcomer to the sport, is already making his fourth appearance.