What’s happened to AJ McKee?published at 21:41 GMT
McKee v Borics
Image source, PFL
If you’re a Bellator old-schooler, AJ McKee is a name you
know. Hard-core MMA fans will know he was Bellator’s premier prospect, their
company man who rose from debut to world champion within the company.
McKee is undoubtedly massively talented as a fighter. Creative, bold and stylish, McKee had everything in his locker.
When
he was crowned as Bellator featherweight champion in 2021 many thought the then
26-year-old American would embark on a long title reign and go from
strength-to-strength.
But defeat in his rematch with Patricio Pitbull was a big
shock. Four low-key wins in a row all at lightweight had many thinking McKee might be building back to his best, but a lacklustre display against Paul
Hughes in 2024 saw him slump to his second loss.
In truth, McKee has struggled to reclaim the form that once marked
him out as a future great. His name has certainly fallen off the lips of many
fans. But the PFL is desperate to increase their star stockpile and a win
tonight for McKee could see him back in the conversation to fight Usman Nurmagomedov.
He turns 31 next month,
