“I’m the baddest,” Best featherweight outside the UFC vows to ‘walk through’ any 145lb figher

Defiant and undefeated at lightweight, AJ McKee stakes his claim as the premier 145-pound fighter, inviting contenders to prove otherwise in any organization.

“I’m the baddest,” Best featherweight outside the UFC vows to ‘walk through’ any 145lb figher

AJ McKee claims to be the best featherweight fighter in MMA (Image via: Instagram)

UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski was once the pound-for-pound best. However, there was a time when many thought a fighter outside the UFC was the best featherweight in the world. It was when the then-undefeated AJ McKee defeated Patricio Pitbull, the long-reigning Bellator featherweight champion.

However, McKee lost the rematch against Pitbull and lost his shine. He later moved to lightweight, where he is undefeated. MMA Junkie recently interviewed McKee, preluding his fight against Clay Collard at the PFL vs. Bellator card. In the interview, McKee claimed to be the best 145lbs fighter. This is what he said:

At 145, I don't care who it is, I'll walk through anybody and everybody. I don't care who it is, what organization it is. I'm the baddest man walking this planet at 145 pounds, period. And if anybody has anything to say about it, you can kiss my a**.
AJ McKee via MMA Junkie
YouTube video

Nonetheless, McKee does not have immediate plans to compete at 145lbs. However, he will closely monitor Pitbull’s fight with PFL featherweight champion Jesus Pinedo on the PFL vs. Bellator card. He felt that the judges robbed him of a victory and a trilogy would settle it.

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The featherweight title in the UFC will be on the line at UFC 298, where Alexander Volkanovski looks to extend his title reign. His opponent at UFC 298 is the undefeated Ilia Topuria. Volkanovski last fought at UFC 294, where Islam Makhachev knocked him out in the first round. Nonetheless, Volkanovski is a slight betting favorite at UFC 298.

AJ McKee claims to be a chess player inside the cage

AJ McKee is the son of retired MMA fighter Antonio McKee. The father and son duo competed on the same card at Bellator 228, the first such instance in a major MMA promotion. AJ McKee has so far competed entirely in Bellator, where he holds the record for most consecutive victories and submission victories. His fight at PFL vs Bellator card against Clay Collard will be his first outside Bellator.

Clay Collard vs. AJ McKee

McKee has a well-rounded skillset. In his interview with MMA Junkie, McKee explained his style of fighting. This is what he said.

I've always said mixed martial arts is like chess versus checkers, and these guys are playing checkers, you know. I'm the chess player; I'm the king on the map, and wherever your weakness is, I'm going to find it and I will expose it.

McKee went on to state the weakness of Collard, which is wrestling and grappling. However, McKee said he would look to box Collard as he felt the fight could showcase his improved striking. Collard is one of the best boxers in MMA and has even competed in professional boxing.

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