Veteran Featherweight Looks Ahead to Future Before PFL Madrid Fight Friday
AJ McKee (23-2 MMA, 2-1 PFL,) a veteran of the late Bellator MMA, was one of the fighters to cross over from the promotion formerly run by Scott Coker to the SmartCage upon the PFL buying Bellator in late 2023. A little over two years ago, McKee, ...
AJ McKee (23-2 MMA, 2-1 PFL,) a veteran of the late Bellator MMA, was one of the fighters to cross over from the promotion formerly run by Scott Coker to the SmartCage upon the PFL buying Bellator in late 2023. A little over two years ago, McKee, nicknamed “Mercenary,” made his PFL promotional debut in PFL vs. Bellator.
That night, AJ McKee faced off against Clay Collard (25-15 MMA, 7-7 PFL,) and while Collard did some boxing under the Top Rank promotional banner in the past, no pugilism could save him from what AJ McKee had planned for him. During the first round of an advertised three, McKee locked in a triangle armbar.
Time of the stoppage: One minute and 10 seconds into the fight. The best news for fans of the 25-fight veteran came in November, when he signed a new contract with the PFL. AJ McKee’s new pact begins with PFL Madrid this coming Friday night.
Friday’s PFL Madrid (main card 3 pm ET/ 12 noon PT) is a stacked event. In the headlining bout of the evening this coming weekend, Costello van Steenis (17-3 MMA, 7-2 PFL) defends his PFL Middleweight Championship against Fabian Edwards (16-4 MMA, 9-3 PFL) in a rematch.
Your co-main event of PFL Madrid finds McKee, the No. 2 contender at featherweight, facing off with No. 4 contender Adam Borics (20-3 MMA, 9-2 PFL,) who last fought in June of last year against Jeremy Kennedy. That late spring night, Borics defeated Kennedy by majority decision in a PFL Featherweight Tournament alternate contest.
This co-main event at PFL Madrid is an advertised maximum of three rounds at five minutes per round. With this being the first fight of AJ McKee’s contract, he mentioned to USA Today’s MMA Junkie that he’s thrilled to get back to work.
AJ McKee on Beginnings of New Contract
During the interview, the veteran fighter spoke highly of the PFL.
“All is well,” AJ McKee began. “I can’t complain. Life’s good. Yeah, I re-signed with PFL. They’re taking care of me. This is my home. They’re doing really big things. I’ve to experience some really great shows.”
McKee also revealed that the PFL was quick to retain his services upon the expiration of his previous pact in the wake of a July 19 unanimous decision win versus Akhmed Magomedov (11-2 MMA, 1-1 PFL) in Cape Town, South Africa.
“I wasn’t really a free agent,” he said. “They took care of me. Bellator took care of me when I ended up with my last contract from them and then it overlapped into the purchase PFL.”
AJ McKee Intent on Staying Put in PFL
AJ McKee is tied to the PFL long-term starting with this Friday’s PFL Madrid. He’s intent on keeping it that way for as long as he can.
“For me, at the end of the day, I’m a business,” AJ McKee continued. “I really don’t care what the title of the organization is, whether it’s UFC, PFL, ONE FC, wherever it is. PFL takes really good care of me. I’ve always made seven figures, so to take a pay cut and go somewhere else or to lower my standard of myself as a business, just doesn’t make sense.”
“At the end of the day, I have a family, I have people that need to eat,” he said. “I have to provide, not only for myself, but for my future family. As a business, I have to look at things strategically and in a smart manner.”
AJ McKee on Adam Borics
As previously mentioned, AJ McKee fights Adam Borics in the PFL Madrid co-main event this weekend. Later in the interview, he discussed his upcoming adversary in the SmartCage.
“I think any fight, you have to assess someone’s skillset and take heed to acknowledging that everyone has a puncher’s chance,” he said. “Everyone has a fighter’s chance within a match. He’s a kickboxer. He’s got good striking, but at the end of the day, at 145 lbs, I don’t care who it is. I’m the baddest man walking this planet at 145.”
While McKee did say that he holds Borics in due regard, he also made it clear that it’s strictly business once the cage door closes.
“I have to make an example out of him,” he mentioned. “He’s been someone that I’ve seen around. We were in the tournament with Bellator a few years back together, thought we were going to cross paths then and it never happened.”
Final Thoughts
AJ McKee is a man who has his affairs in order. With his new contract about to commence, his status as a company man, first in Bellator MMA and now in the PFL, will continue.
He’s doing what makes the most sense for him and his family. Will McKee’s loyalties pay off with more wins? Tune in beginning on Friday to find out.
