How a near-death experience transformed a wrestling prodigy into a UFC record-breaker
In short: In 2015, Terrance McKinney's heart stopped twice in an ambulance. After surviving a terrifying brush with death caused by substance abuse, the former wrestling standout underwent a profound transformation, eventually entering the UFC and setting a division record for the fastest knockout in history.
McKinney's path to professional mixed martial arts was nearly derailed by a life-threatening incident in the summer of 2015. While experiencing excited delirium following the consumption of alcohol, LSD, and psilocybin mushrooms, his heart stopped twice during transit to a hospital. He credits the emotional impact of seeing his mother, Kitara Johnson, in tears during this crisis as the primary catalyst for his decision to change his life and pursue professional athletics.
Before his UFC success, McKinney was a highly decorated wrestler. A Fargo All-American in freestyle, he secured two WIAA state titles while attending Shadle Park High School. His collegiate career included a 31–11 record at North Idaho College during the 2013–2014 season, where he was the top-ranked athlete. He later reached a national ranking of second in the NCAA Division II level during the 2015–2016 season before transferring to Notre Dame College to pursue MMA.
Since entering the UFC, McKinney has become known for extreme efficiency and explosive finishes. On June 12, 2021, at UFC 263, he achieved the fastest knockout in UFC lightweight history, defeating Matt Frevola just seven seconds into the first round. This performance earned him an unofficial Performance of the Night bonus from Dana White. He currently holds the record for the shortest average fight time in the lightweight division at 2:28, and he is tied for the second most sub-minute finishes in UFC history with four such victories.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Terrance McKinney
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