Breaking News: AJ McKee, the former Bellator featherweight champion who once boldly declared he'd dismantle Alexander Volkanovski, has just re-signed with the PFL! This is a major development in the MMA world, and it means we won't be seeing 'Mercenary' in the UFC anytime soon. But what does this mean for his career and the future of the featherweight division? Let's dive in.
McKee made a name for himself outside the UFC, dominating the Bellator scene. He went on an impressive undefeated streak, culminating in winning the Bellator featherweight title. In 2021, he shocked the world by submitting Patricio Pitbull in under two minutes, pushing his record to a stunning 18-0. At the time, McKee was not only the Bellator champion but also claimed to be the best featherweight fighter across all promotions.
His focus later shifted to lightweight, but he made a successful return to featherweight under the PFL banner this year. Now, the 30-year-old fighter is set to continue his career in the PFL's SmartCage.
But here's where it gets interesting: The PFL acquired Bellator MMA in late 2023, bringing McKee into the fold. Before this, Pitbull got his revenge on McKee in their rematch. Although he secured a win over Clay Collard in his PFL debut, McKee's loss to Paul Hughes led to his return to the 145-pound division.
He announced his return in style at the first PFL Africa card this past July, defeating Akhmed Magomedov, who was trained by Khabib Nurmagomedov. Following his bounce-back win in Cape Town, McKee has signed a new multi-fight deal with the PFL, according to the promotion's new CEO, John Martin.
And this is the part most people miss... The re-signing is a setback for those hoping to see McKee in the UFC. When he won the Bellator gold, there was a lot of talk about him joining the UFC, especially considering his remarks about the UFC's top fighters.
In late 2022, McKee reiterated his confidence about a fight with UFC champion Alexander Volkanovski, promising to dominate the Australian legend. He even went so far as to say, "I would destroy Volk." He added, "I could prove that the best fighters in the world aren’t all in the UFC."
With Volkanovski nearing the end of his career and McKee now committed to the PFL, it seems unlikely that this highly anticipated matchup will ever happen.
What do you think about McKee's decision? Do you agree with his assessment of himself and Volkanovski? Share your thoughts in the comments below – let's get a discussion going! Do you think he made the right choice?
