in Japan was an amazing experience," McGee stated. "I mean, from the ceilings to the shower fixtures, everything is so small over there—I felt a little like Godzilla trampling the villagers. But professionally, I never really recovered from the Sylvia fight. Mentally, I lost that edge—that killer instinct. Call it the 'Eye of the Tiger' or whatever you want; I was just going through the motions, unfocused and uncaring. And after losing my second fight in the Orient, I swore to myself that I would never step foot (sic) in a steel cage again—not until I regain my warrior's mentality." In 2008, McGee now claimed that he regained his long lost passion and embarked on a comeback that he hopes will culminate with the heavyweight world title. His first comeback fight was at Xtreme Fighting Championships#XFC 5: Return of the Giant on September 13, 2008, at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida. He won via second-round knockout. He said "It took years of introspection and self-discovery, but I finally realized that God made me a giant and blessed me with this mind-blowing power for a reason: to be the most destructive heavyweight champion that's ever walked on planet Earth," McGee stated. "Writers write, teachers teach -- and giants destroy. For so many years I tried to run away from my destiny -- to be something I'm not -- but that part of my life has come to a screeching halt. My intensity level is off the charts right now; if I've gotta tear down buildings, smash open skulls or annihilate whole cities to get another title shot, then that's what I'll do. This time around, 'The Giant' will stand tall." He lost his last fight at Pure Combat 9 via KO (Punches) in the third round. Championships and Accomplishments International Fighting Championship IFC Warriors Challenge 7 Tournament Winner Mixed martial arts record |- | Loss | align=center| 13–5 | Anthony Ruiz | KO (punches) | Pure Combat 9 | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 1:14 | Visalia, California, United States | |- | Win | align=center|13–4 | Johnathan Ivey | TKO (punches) | XFC 5: Return of the Giant | | align=center| 2 | align=center| 0:59 | Tampa, Florida, United States | |- | Loss | align=center|12–4 | Semmy Schilt | Submission (armbar) | PRIDE Total Elimination 2004 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 5:02 | Saitama, Japan