Ian McCall knows he could’ve done more in his UFC and MMA career, but his personal demons didn’t allow it.
When the UFC first introduced its flyweight division in early 2012, McCall (13-7-1 MMA, 2-3 UFC) was arguably the best in the world at his weight. He was part of a four-man tournament with Demetrious Johnson, Joseph Benavidez and Yasuhiro Urushitani to crown the inaugural champion, and it’s there when the curse on McCall’s career began to set in.
A judging miscalculation led to McCall vs. Johnson ending in a draw when it should’ve instead gone to a Round 4 overtime. McCall was dominating the fight late and would’ve had massive momentum going into a deciding frame, but the scoring error prevented it.
McCall would lose a unanimous decision to “Mighty Mouse” in a rematch four months later, and he could never recapture that momentum. He was in the UFC for another five years, going 2-2 and experiencing a stunning 10 fight cancellations for a plethora of issues both in and out of McCall’s control.
After parting ways with UFC in 2017, McCall’s final career act saw him sign with RIZIN FF in Japan, where he went 0-2 vs. Kyoji Horiguchi and Manel Kape. He hasn’t fought since, and when reflecting on his career, McCall said there’s been many wrong turns.
“I walked away too late,” McCall told MMA Junkie. “I shouldn’t have even left the UFC. I should’ve stayed there and tried to get some sort of desk job, which they offered me. But when I showed up to try out for a commentator gig, I was on a bender. I did coke in the bathroom. Trying to talk more and I was a mess. UFC gave me every chance. They gave me everything I could’ve truly wanted and I squandered it. Whether that’s a title shot or multiple title shots or a job or whatever.
“I had to move on and I had to go test the waters in Japan, even though I was snorting Oxycodone before I walked out to my fights. No excuses. It’s where my life was at that point. I’m happy it’s over. Do I miss it? Sure. It’s a drug I will never get again. It’s something I miss with walking out to the adoration of fans.”
Hindsight is everything in a sport like MMA. McCall knows he didn’t truly reach his potential as a competitor, and it’s hard not to view the draw with Johnson as a deflating moments. Although it can be hard to cope with sometimes, McCall said he’s made peace with his reality.
“If I fought now, we know how famous I would be, how rich I would be especially if I had my sh*t together and was sober like I am now,” McCall said. “I would probably be looked at as one of the greatest of all time, if not, the (greatest). I think Demetrious and I would’ve had more great battles and I would’ve been able to extend everything. If I wouldn’t have got screwed over in that first fight and won it, maybe things would be different? Maybe me not being a junkie would’ve led to 12 world titles like Demetrious. It’s the past, but these are all what-ifs.”
McCall, 41, said he still loves MMA and wants to continue to exist in this world. He is doing his best to aid in athlete care, with McCall spending much of his time focusing on recover from brain injury through use of psychedelics. He is currently the CEO of a non-profit called Athletes Journey Home, and is determined to help those “marred with addiction and brain damage.”
Despite his effort to assist fighters dealing the consequences of MMA competition, McCall said he also wants to be on the other side of helping build up the next generation. He has much knowledge to give, and sees a coaching role for himself in the future.
“I will eventually coach people, maybe soon,” McCall said. “I’m moving to Huntington Beach to be closer to my daughter who moved. Maybe I can start coaching. I’ve reached out to some coaches and haven’t heard back yet, but I don’t even need to go to fights. I just need to get my hands on these people because I’ve still got it. I can still beat up kids in the top five, which I’ve done recently. I’m just really good at fighting.
“If I can still give myself to the athletes then that’s my life of service. I can help people achieve what I once achieved. I know how rich the dream is within their bodies and their brains. If I can help them do that then I’m happy.”
To hear more from McCall, check out his complete appearance on “The Bohnfire” podcast with MMA Junkie senior reporter Mike Bohn above.
