A. J. McKee

A. J. McKee (born April 7, 1995) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in Bellator's featherweight division, where he is the former Bellator Featherweight Champion. As of April 19, 2022, he is #2 in the Bellator men's pound-for-pound rankings and #1 in the Bellator Featherweight Rankings.[1]

A. J. McKee
Born (1995-04-07) April 7, 1995
Long Beach, California, U.S.
Other namesMercenary
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight145 lb (66 kg; 10 st 5 lb)
DivisionFeatherweight
Reach73+1⁄2 in (187 cm)
Fighting out ofLakewood, California, United States
TeamBody Shop Fitness
Years active2015–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total19
Wins18
By knockout6
By submission7
By decision5
Losses1
By decision1
Notable relativesAntonio McKee, father
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

The son of Antonio McKee and Michelle George, A. J. was born and raised in Long Beach, California.[2] A. J. graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School where he joined the wrestling team.[2] He went on to attend both Notre Dame College and Cerritos College.[2]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

McKee went 7–1 as an amateur from 2012 to 2014, before turning professional in 2015. He is coached by his father Antonio McKee and currently trains out of Body Shop Fitness, with the likes of Bubba Jenkins and Emanuel Newton.[3]

2015

In his professional mixed martial arts and promotional debut, McKee faced Marcos Bonilla at Bellator 136 on April 10, 2015. He won the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the first round.[4]

McKee next faced James Barnes at Bellator 141 on August 28, 2015. As Barnes' back was against the cage, McKee landed a hard left hand, resulting in a knockout victory for McKee at 1:42 in the first round.[5]

McKee faced J.T. Donaldson at Bellator 147 on December 4, 2015. He secured his third first-round finish, after a knee and follow-up punches to his hurt opponent prompted a stoppage.[6]

In December 2015, the promotion announced that McKee had signed a multi-year contract extension.[7]

2016

McKee faced Danilo Belluardo at Bellator 152 on April 16, 2016.[8] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

McKee next faced Cody Walker at Bellator 160 on August 26, 2016. He won the fight via submission in the second round.

For his third fight in 2016, McKee faced Ray Wood at Bellator 166 on December 2, 2016. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

2017

McKee faced Brandon Phillips at Bellator 171 on January 27, 2017. He won the fight via unanimous decision.[9]

McKee faced Dominic Mazzotta at Bellator 178 on April 21, 2017. He won the fight via knockout due to a head kick just 75 seconds into the first round.[10]

McKee faced Blair Tugman at Bellator 182 on August 25, 2017. He won via unanimous decision and in the process tied the record with Ben Askren and Michael Chandler for the most consecutive wins in Bellator history.[11]

McKee was expected to face Jeremy Petley at Bellator 187 on November 10, 2017.[12] However, after the withdrawal of James Gallagher as a result of an injury, McKee's opponent was changed to Brian Moore.[13] He won the fight via submission in the third round.

2018

McKee faced former UFC competitor Justin Lawrence at Bellator 197 on April 13, 2018.[14] He won the fight via unanimous decision.

At Bellator 205 McKee was expected to headline opposite former featherweight champion Pat Curran. The event took place in Boise, Idaho on September 21.[15] However Curran was pulled due to injury and he was replaced by John Macapá.[16] He won the fight via knockout in round one.[17]

McKee next faced Daniel Crawford at Bellator 212 on December 14, 2018. He won the fight via an anaconda choke submission in the first round.[18]

2019

McKee's next fight came against former two-time Bellator Featherweight World Champion Pat Curran at Bellator 221 on May 11, 2019. He won the bout via unanimous decision.[19]

Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix

McKee faced Georgi Karakhanyan in the opening round of the Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix on September 28 at Bellator 228. He was victorious via knockout just 8 seconds into the first round, advancing to the next round.[20]

In the quarterfinals, McKee faced Derek Campos at Bellator 236 on December 21, 2019.[21][22] He won the bout via third round submission to advance in the tournament.

In the semifinals, McKee was set to face Darrion Caldwell at Bellator 244 on June 6, 2020.[23] However, the bout was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The bout was rescheduled and took place at Bellator 253 on November 19.[24] McKee won the fight via neck crank submission in round one, thus moving on to the Featherweight Grand Prix final.[25]

In the final, McKee faced Bellator Featherweight Champion Patrício Pitbull at Bellator 263 on July 31, 2021 for the Grand Prix Title and $1 million dollar prize.[26] McKee stunned Pitbull with a high kick early in the bout, and secured a guilliotine choke winning the bout via submission in round one, claiming the Bellator Featherweight Championship, and $1 million dollar prize in the process.[27][28] The bout marked McKee's last of his prevailing contract, but becoming the champion triggered a clause which extended the contract by one year or three fights.[29]

Bellator Featherweight World Champion

As the first title defence of his reign, McKee rematched Patrício Pitbull on April 15, 2022 at Bellator 277.[30] He lost the close bout and the title via unanimous decision, marking the first defeat of his professional career.[31]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
19 matches 18 wins 1 loss
By knockout 6 0
By submission 7 0
By decision 5 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 18–1 Patrício Pitbull Decision (unanimous) Bellator 277 April 15, 2022 5 5:00 San Jose, California, United States Lost the Bellator Featherweight World Championship.
Win 18–0 Patrício Pitbull Technical Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 263 July 31, 2021 1 1:57 Inglewood, California, United States Won the Bellator Featherweight World Championship. Won the Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix.
Win 17–0 Darrion Caldwell Submission (neck crank) Bellator 253 November 19, 2020 1 1:11 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix Semifinal.
Win 16–0 Derek Campos Submission (armbar) Bellator 236 December 21, 2019 3 1:08 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinal.
Win 15–0 Georgi Karakhanyan KO (punches) Bellator 228 September 28, 2019 1 0:08 Inglewood, California, United States Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix Opening Round.
Win 14–0 Pat Curran Decision (unanimous) Bellator 221 May 11, 2019 3 5:00 Rosemont, Illinois, United States
Win 13–0 Daniel Crawford Submission (anaconda choke) Bellator 212 December 14, 2018 1 3:19 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Win 12–0 John Macapá KO (punch) Bellator 205 September 21, 2018 1 1:09 Boise, Idaho, United States
Win 11–0 Justin Lawrence Decision (unanimous) Bellator 197 April 13, 2018 3 5:00 St. Charles, Missouri, United States
Win 10–0 Brian Moore Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 187 November 10, 2017 3 0:42 Dublin, Ireland
Win 9–0 Blair Tugman Decision (unanimous) Bellator 182 August 25, 2017 3 5:00 Verona, New York, United States
Win 8–0 Dominic Mazzotta KO (head kick) Bellator 178 April 21, 2017 1 1:15 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 7–0 Brandon Phillips Decision (unanimous) Bellator 171 January 27, 2017 3 5:00 Mulvane, Kansas, United States
Win 6–0 Ray Wood Decision (unanimous) Bellator 166 December 2, 2016 3 5:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win 5–0 Cody Walker Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 160 August 26, 2016 2 0:32 Anaheim, California, United States
Win 4–0 Danilo Belluardo TKO (punches) Bellator 152 April 16, 2016 1 2:44 Torino, Italy
Win 3–0 J.T. Donaldson KO (knee) Bellator 147 December 4, 2015 1 3:19 San Jose, California, United States
Win 2–0 James Barnes KO (punch) Bellator 141 August 28, 2015 1 1:42 Temecula, California, United States
Win 1–0 Marcos Bonilla Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 136 April 10, 2015 1 2:08 Irvine, California, United States Featherweight debut.

See also

References
  1. "Bellator Rankings". www.bellator.com. Archived from the original on 2021-06-16. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
  2. Scott Harris (December 3, 2015). "The Beaten Path: MMA Prospect A.J. McKee Learned the Ropes from Fighter Father". Bleacher Report.
  3. Chuck Mindenhall (December 4, 2015). "All A.J. McKee wants for his father (Antonio) is a million-dollar house". mmafighting.com.
  4. Staff (April 10, 2015). "Bellator 136 results: Will Brooks outgrinds Dave Jansen to retain title". mmajunkie.com.
  5. Mike Bohn (August 28, 2015). "Bellator 141 results: Melvin Guillard upset by Brandon Girtz in main event". mmajunkie.com.
  6. Tristen Critchfield (December 4, 2015). "Josh Thomson Overwhelms Unheralded Pablo Villaseca in Bellator 147 Headliner". sherdog.com.
  7. Tristen Critchfield (December 17, 2015). "Featherweight Prospect A.J. McKee Signs Multi-Year Extension with Bellator MMA". sherdog.com.
  8. Staff (January 15, 2016). "Brian Rogers vs. Alessio Sakara set for Bellator 152 in Italy". mmajunkie.com.
  9. Mike Bohn (January 27, 2017). "Bellator 171 results: Chidi Njokuani dominates Melvin Guillard in lopsided main event". mmajunkie.com.
  10. Steven Marrocco (April 21, 2017). "Bellator 178 results: 'Pitbull' Freire submits Straus in fourth encounter to recapture title". mmajunkie.com.
  11. Matt Erickson (August 25, 2017). "Bellator 182 results: Ex-champ Andrey Koreshkov pounds out Chidi Njokuani in first round". mmajunkie.com.
  12. Alexander K. Lee (September 27, 2017). "A.J. McKee vs. Jeremy Petley announced for Bellator 187". mmafighting.com.
  13. Steven Marrocco (October 11, 2017). "James Gallagher injury prompts Bellator 187 reshuffle, including A.J. McKee to main event". mmajunkie.com.
  14. Alexander K. Lee (February 8, 2018). "A.J. McKee books Bellator co-main event fight vs. Justin Lawrence on April 13". mmafighting.com.
  15. Jay Anderson (July 18, 2018). "A.J. McKee Meets Pat Curran at Bellator 205". cagesidepress.com.
  16. "A.J. McKee vs. John Teixeira set as new Bellator 205 headliner in Boise". MMAjunkie. 2018-08-13. Retrieved 2018-08-18.
  17. "Bellator 205 results: A.J. McKee scores vicious, one-punch knockout of John Teixeira". MMAjunkie. 2018-09-22. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
  18. "Bellator 212 results: Primus vs Chandler 2". mmafighting.com. December 15, 2018.
  19. "Bellator 221 results, highlights: Patricio 'Pitbull' Freire stuns Michael Chandler with first-round TKO". CBSSports.com. May 11, 2019. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
  20. "Bellator 228 results -- Patricio Pitbull vs. Juan Archuleta: Live updates, fight card, highlights". September 28, 2019.
  21. Damon Martin (September 29, 2019). "Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix quarterfinal fights determined, dates revealed". mmafighting.com.
  22. Nolan King (October 3, 2019). "A.J. McKee vs. Derek Campos set for Bellator Hawaii co-main event". mmajunkie.com.
  23. Matt Erickson (March 9, 2020). "Michael Chandler-Benson Henderson 2, A.J. McKee-Darrion Caldwell set for Bellator 244 in Chicago". mmajunkie.com.
  24. Steven Marrocco (October 15, 2020). "Bellator featherweight grand prix bouts set with Daniel Weichel vs. Emmanuel Sanchez, A.J. McKee vs. Darrion Caldwell". MMAFighting.com.
  25. Marc Raimondi (November 19, 2020). "A.J. McKee submits Darrion Caldwell in Bellator 253 main event". ESPN.
  26. Cruz, Guilherme (2021-06-10). "Patricio Pitbull vs. AJ McKee grand prix final set for July 30 Bellator event". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-06-11.
  27. Jr, Adam Guillen (2021-08-01). "Highlights! McKee Stuns 'Pitbull' With Early Head Kick, Submission". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2021-08-01.
  28. Anderson, Jay (2021-08-01). "Bellator 263 Results: A.J. McKee Chokes Out Pitbull to Claim Featherweight Title, Million Dollars". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-08-01.
  29. Mike Bohn (August 2, 2021). "Champ A.J. McKee eyes new contract: 'It's time for Bellator to show what my value is'". MMAjunkie.com.
  30. "AJ McKee to rematch Pitbull in first title defense at Bellator 277". Orange County Register. 2022-02-16. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  31. Anderson, Jay (2022-04-16). "Bellator 277: Patricio Pitbull Reclaims Featherweight Title in Decision Win Over A.J. McKee". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-04-16.
  32. Mike Bohn (August 1, 2021). "Bellator 263 post-event facts: A.J. McKee lights up record books with title win". MMAjunkie.com.
  33. Mike Bohn (November 17, 2020). "Bellator 253 pre-event facts: A.J. McKee's winning streak on verge of historic status". MMAjunkie.com.
  34. "MMA Junkie's 'Submission of the Month' for November: The 'McKee-otine'". MMAjunkie.com. December 2, 2020.
  35. Mike Bohn (January 6, 2021). "MMA Junkie's 2020 'Submission of the Year': A.J. McKee wins with one-of-a-kind hold". MMAjunkie.com.
  36. Mike Bohn (August 4, 2021). "MMA Junkie's 'Submission of the Month' for July: A choke worth $1 million". MMAjunkie.com.
  37. Martin, Damon. "MMA Fighting's 2020 Submission of the Year: A.J. McKee taps out Darrion Caldwell with move he created". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  38. Patrick L. Stumberg (December 25, 2020). "UFC/MMA 'Submissions of the Year' 2020 - Top 5 List". mmamania.com.
  39. "Combat Press 2020 MMA Awards: Submission of the Year – AJ McKee vs. Darrion Caldwell". combatpress.com. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  40. "MMA 2020 Year in Review: Submission of the Year". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  41. Ben Duffy (December 24, 2020). "Sherdog's 2020 Submission of the Year". Sherdog.
  42. "The Jitsmagazine 2020 BJJ Awards". jitsmagazine.com. January 2, 2021.
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