AJ McKee just isn’t going anywhere.
McKee established himself as considered one of the leading names competing outside of the UFC during an undefeated run to the Bellator featherweight title.
In 2021, McKee submitted Patricio Pitbull in under two minutes, a shocking result that moved ‘Mercenary’ to 18-0 in pro MMA. Greater than just being Bellator’s featherweight champion, the American claimed to be the division’s perfect across all promotions.
While his focus later drifted to lightweight, McKee made a successful featherweight return under the PFL banner this 12 months. Moving forward, the 30-year-old is ready to proceed plying his trade within the SmartCage.
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Former Bellator champion AJ McKee signs a brand new multi-fight cope with the PFL
McKee was amongst the foremost names acquired by the Skilled Fighters League when the promotion purchased Bellator MMA in late 2023.
On the time, the Californian now not held gold after Pitbull got his revenge on McKee of their rematch. A win over Clay Collard in his PFL debut marked the ex-Bellator champ’s fourth straight win at lightweight, but McKee’s loss to Paul Hughes resulted in his return to 145 kilos.
He announced his re-arrival in style at the primary PFL Africa card this past July, where McKee defeated Khabib Nurmagomedov’s protege, Akhmed Magomedov.
A number of months on from his bounce-back win in Cape Town, McKee has put pen to paper on a brand new multi-fight cope with the PFL.
The news was announced by the promotion’s recent CEO, John Martin, on social media.
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AJ McKee insisted he would beat UFC champion Alexander Volkanovski
The re-signing mark a blow to those hoping to see McKee cross over to the UFC anytime soon.
Talk of ‘Mercenary’ heading to MMA’s leading promotion picked up when he won Bellator gold, especially given the remarks he made in regards to the UFC’s best in his division.
In late 2022, McKee reiterated his confidence a couple of battle with UFC counterpart Alexander Volkanovski, vowing to dominate the Australian legend contained in the cage.
“I’d destroy Volk,” McKee said (h/t Sports Illustrated).
“Volk beat a GOAT, he beat [Max] Holloway. I do know I’m one of the best on this planet, and that’s the most important statement I could make.
“I could prove that one of the best fighters on this planet aren’t all within the UFC,” he added.
With ‘Alexander the Great’ nearing the tip of his profession and McKee now tied all the way down to the PFL, it seems likely that the American’s claim won’t be tested.