MONCTON, Canada – Court McGee’s UFC career has been plagued by injuries and surgeries. He hopes his next chapter consists of smoother sailing but said he’s ready for any curveballs life throws his way.

McGee (18-7 MMA, 7-6 UFC) returns to competition for the first time since November at UFC Fight Night 138 on Saturday when he takes on Alex Garcia (15-5 MMA, 5-4 UFC) in a welterweight bout. The layoff was not a welcomed one, but he was forced to take it after undergoing surgery thanks to worsening an existing injury in a rather freakish manner.

“I sneezed, and my shoulder went, ‘Gonk, gonk, gonk,'” McGee told MMAjunkie at UFC Fight Night 138 media day. “I was like, ‘Uh oh. I better get (surgery) done.’ That’s what (the doctor) asked. He said, ‘Has it dislocated?’ I said, ‘No, I don’t think so, but a couple times it felt like it was going to.’ In the fight, when I would lock up on a shot, it would lock up and get stretched out. It was loose and wobbly, and it felt like I worked out on it whether I did or not. It was sore and tired all the time.”

UFC Fight Night 138 takes place at Avenir Centre. McGee vs. Garcia opens on the FS1-televised main card following prelims on FS2 and UFC Fight Pass.

McGee, who entered the UFC by winning Season 11 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” has a well documented history of substance abuse. He said he’s approaching the 10-year anniversary of sobriety, and during his time off used the time to share his story with others from law enforcement officers to high school students and more.

“With the removal of drugs and alcohol and the process of recovery, I’ve been able to accomplish incredible things,” McGee said. “I’m able to use my platform to help people. I’m able to use my platform to show people what recovery has done for me and make recovery look attractive.”

Watch the video above to hear McGee talk more about his tumultuous story and return at UFC Fight Night 138.

For more on UFC Fight Night 138, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.