A.J. McKee has tied his professional MMA career with the Bellator from its beginning. So it’s no wonder that he wants to wave the promotion’s flag during the interpromotional competition against the PFL. Competition, where the Professional Fighters League is considered to be the favorite to win.
On November 24 in Saudi Arabia, Bellator’s and PFL’s champions and top competitors will square off against each other. This will be the first event consisting of Bellator fighters after the promotion was purchased by PFL from Paramount back in November of last year. A.J. Mckee, a former Bellator featherweight kingpin will test himself against the PFL lightweight championship finalist, Clay Collard.
According to McKee, the fans look at the whole thing from the wrong perspective because of the whole PFL purchasing Bellator deal.
During his most recent interview with MMA Junkie Radio McKee said:
“It’s Bellator vs. PFL for the other champions, but at the end of the day, it’s A.J. McKee vs. Clay Collard.“Clay said ‘PFL acquired Bellator,’ so there’s a big chip on these guys’ shoulders already. But at the end of the day, us Bellator fighters, we’re coming for business.
The former Bellator titleholder underlined the difference in attitude toward the inter-promotional competition exemplified during the press conference.
“At the press conference, it showed – we’re all suited and booted. These guys are comfortable having fun, dressed up in f*cking movie football jerseys and stuff. We’re coming for business, at the end of the day, and I think that’s the difference that’s going to set us apart when it comes to fight night.”
McKee, who will turn 29 in April, stacked up a 21 – 1 record during his Bellator stint. As mentioned earlier, all of his professional career took place inside the Bellator’s circular cage. He grabbed the Bellator featherweight title by beating Patricio Pitbull at Bellator 263, winning the 2021 Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix in the process. He lost the belt in a rematch at Bellator 277.
Next, he made a move to the lightweight division, where he won three consecutive fights. First, he was awarded a unanimous decision win over Spike Carlyle at Bellator 286. At Bellator MMA vs. Rizin event, he was awarded another unanimous decision win over the reigning RIZIN lightweight champion, Roberto De Souza. In his last fight, he secured another unanimous decision win over Sidney Outlaw at Bellator 301.
According to McKee, despite his status as one of Bellator’s top fighters, he might have to prove himself in the eyes of fans who were brought in by PFL.
“It’s a new organization. PFL knows of me. Their fans don’t really know about me“So for me, I see it as an opportunity to go out there and show them what I’m really about and showcase my skills to them. I’m not really worried about it. I felt it was an honor to be able to fight on not only the last Bellator show, but now the first collaboration show, as well. I think that just goes with my accolades, my achievements and the type of fighter that I am. I think they know what they’re going to get: They’re going to get a good fight.”
