It wasn’t way back that A.J. McKee was ranked as the most effective featherweights within the sport, however after dropping a disappointing determination to Patricio Pitbull again in 2022, he determined to take his skills to 155 kilos as a substitute.
He received his subsequent 4 fights in a row and that received him matched up towards rising star Paul Hughes in a de facto No. 1 contender’s bout with the winner anticipated to maneuver on to face then-Bellator light-weight champion Usman Nurmagomedov. Sadly, McKee got here up brief, dropping a cut up determination however he definitely has no regrets about his efficiency, particularly figuring out what he was going via on the time.
“I had shoulder surgical procedure proper earlier than the final struggle,” McKee informed MMA Combating. “Lots of people didn’t know. It wasn’t one thing I used to be open about. Clearly, I don’t need individuals figuring out I’m damage. However I had shoulder surgical procedure proper earlier than the final struggle, docs informed me to not struggle. However you’ve received to go do what you’ve received to do. I fell just a little bit brief. Now coming full circle, I’m feeling wholesome, feeling sturdy and higher than ever. No extra shoulder ache, no extra aches and we’re returning to the 145-pound division to indicate and remind everybody who the very best 145-pounder on the planet is once more.”
“I had a tear in my pec, my labrum, my bicep after which they shaved down my AC and my rotator [cuff] so I had full shoulder restore. It wasn’t too shabby. I don’t have any aches, no pains, no positions the place I really feel prefer it’s going to present out. It’s again to regular.”
Revealing that he had surgical procedure previous to the struggle may sound like McKee is making excuses for his loss however he guarantees that the selection to compete that night time was his and his alone.
As a lot as he needs he had been at one hundred pc well being, McKee nonetheless did his finest and got here up simply brief in a detailed determination.
“On the finish of the day, I went in there and fought. It’s on me,” McKee stated. “It was a detailed struggle. I can genuinely say I wasn’t myself. I believe lots of people realized and say that as effectively. Like ‘dude A.J. appears to be like drained, he appears to be like out of it.’ I used to be drained after the primary spherical during. I gave all of it I had. However I don’t suppose individuals notice surgical procedures take a toll in your mind, in your physique, every part.
“Actually not even ending remedy and going right into a struggle wasn’t the brightest factor on the planet however I can throw some punches in order that’s all that issues. We made it look good and it was a terrific alternative. I can’t say it was a missed alternative as a result of I went in there and did what I may. That’s life.”
Shedding to Hughes wasn’t essentially the deciding issue for McKee to return to his previous stomping grounds at featherweight as a result of he at all times had a sense he’d return to 145 kilos someday.
The transfer was ushered alongside just a little faster as soon as he missed out on combating Nurmagomedov with the light-weight title on the road as a result of that’s a matchup he was chasing from his first day within the division.
That doesn’t imply he couldn’t finally return there once more however McKee is aware of at his best possible, he’s practically untouchable when he’s competing at featherweight.
“It’s time to make an announcement once more,” McKee stated. “On the finish of the day, I like titles. I like combating via issues that ought to both break you or set you again. Being a struggle away from the title at 155 kilos, the light-weight division, falling brief and being a struggle away from the title, it’s simply sort of a reminder that you just’re nonetheless one of many baddest dudes on the planet.
“Return to 145 pound division, run it there once more and remind the world who’s the baddest 145-pounder on the planet once more. With the return, I believe it was due. After I misplaced my first struggle within the 145-pound division, I got here again on fireplace. Now it’s simply get again to exhibiting everybody who the baddest man within the 145-pound division is.”
A part of his previous frustration at featherweight was a scarcity of competitors after McKee successfully confronted and defeated a lot of the prime contenders earlier than he received drawn into the rivalry with Pitbull.
Because of the PFL-Bellator merger, McKee has a number of new blood to attract upon when he’s take a look at a pool of potential opponents. That’s going to maintain him a lot motivated as McKee hopes to wrap one other belt round his waist earlier than later.
Add to that, McKee is coming off a loss for under the second time in his profession and he actually doesn’t like that feeling.
“I misplaced however guess what? I’m nonetheless the baddest man on the planet on this division,” McKee stated. “I used to be one struggle away from being the baddest man in [the lightweight] division. I believe the entire stroll at light-weight was to indicate everybody extra in order that I’m actually the most effective fighters on the planet whether or not it’s 145 or 155. I can maintain my very own in any division. It’s not in regards to the weight, it’s extra in regards to the ability set and the mindset. That’s sort of what my take was on the 155-pound division. At 145 kilos, I don’t care who it’s, in case you’re in entrance of me, I’m coming to take your head off.
“Clearly I suffered that loss and each time I lose, I come again with a vengeance. I’m hungrier than ever. Within the featherweight division, I don’t care who it’s.”
