Outside Source
A.J. McKee says competing at 145 comes with its own set of challenges. | Photo: Cooper Neill/Getty
At 30 years old, A.J. McKee has been to the top of the mountain in mixed martial arts and has taken on the biggest challenges sent his way. The former Bellator MMA featherweight champion has now become an integral part of the Professional Fighters League roster, and although he came up short a close split decision loss to Paul Hughes in his most recent outing, McKee sounds ready for redemption.
Set to face Akhmed Magomedov in a 2025 PFL Africa 1 featherweight showcase this Saturday at GrandWest Arena in Cape Town, South Africa, McKee will return to 145 pounds as man who’s not quite content with his career just yet. He enters his latest assignment with a 22-2 record.
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“I’m happy, but I’m not satisfied,” McKee told Sherdog.com. “I’m always striving to be better and do better. I think everybody’s goal is to be a champion, so working to do that and obviously in my last fight falling a little bit short. I’ve just been having fun at 155 pounds, and I think it’s time to go back to the featherweight division and remind everyone who the best featherweight fighter in the world is.”
In returning to the division where he once reigned, McKee admits competing at 145 pounds comes with its own set of challenges.
“I would say with 145 there’s a little bit more discipline,” he said. “I’ve been wrestling and fighting since I was a kid, so cutting weight has been a part of my life. At 155, I’m eating a lot heavier, and life is good. The guys are bigger at lightweight. I felt like I held my own up there. I did fine. I stood my ground at 155 pounds, and there’s things that have happened for certain reasons. I’m just looking forward to going back to the 145-pound division and showing everyone who the best in the world is. This is where my entire empire has been established.”
In juggling the decision to fight between weight classes, McKee believes he learned that whenever he truly focuses on a target, he can accomplish anything.
“I know I’m hard-headed,” he said. “When I set my mind to something and I want to succeed in it, I don’t care what’s standing in my way, even if it’s myself. I know mentally I can push through anything. I’ve learned to let life be life. I don’t take things too seriously anymore. You just have to enjoy life.”
By returning to his natural weight class, the “Mercenary” aims to breathe new life into his career.
“It’s a resurrection at 145,” McKee said. “That’s all that needs to be said about what to expect in this fight. I’m coming back.”
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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