- A.J. McKee has signed a new multi-year deal with Bellator
- “Mercenary” garnered mixed reactions from the MMA community
After an impressive showing at Bellator vs. Rizin event in Japan, A.J. McKee secured his future with Bellator by inking a new deal. And now, the former champ got the MMA community reacting.
New year, new deal
There’s nothing better than starting the new year with a new contract with one of the most revered MMA promotions in the world. That’s what McKee just did on Tuesday when he signed a new multi-year deal with Bellator, the promotion announced.
.@BELLATORMMA RE-SIGNS #3 POUND-FOR-POUND TALENT, FORMER FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION @AJMCKEE101 https://t.co/mScM1kksgl pic.twitter.com/jai8p6Pcuk
— Bellator Public Relations (@BellatorPR) January 10, 2023
It’s time to bust out the fireworks!!@BellatorMMA let the 155lb devision know I’m here for good and coming in hot 🔥 #warready #andnew #2023 #bornready pic.twitter.com/HUnp2WnyJs
— AJ “The Mercenary” McKee (@ajmckee101) January 11, 2023
Bellator president Scott Coker also said that McKee, who has been vocal about his desire to take on lightweight champion Usman Numagomedov, will be competing in the promotion’s upcoming Lightweight World Grand Prix tournament.
The MMA community spoke its mind
As expected, the MMA community had mixed reactions to McKee’s new deal. Prior to re-signing with Bellator, “Mercenary” was linked to a big switch to the UFC with talks of a potential fight against pound-for-pound king Alexander Volkanovski. Some reckoned that McKee should’ve taken the route to the UFC, while some were just thrilled to have learned the former featherweight champion is staying at Bellator.
See tweets below:
I'm always hoping for chaos, but not surprising here. No chance Bellator lets him walk, even if there wasn't a LW GP around the corner. Good news is there's some amazing fights coming for AJ at 155, be it Usman, Shabliy, or Tofiq. https://t.co/kSRdpS0Rrc
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) January 10, 2023
Elated to have my guy @AJMcKee101 back with @BellatorMMA for the foreseeable future.
It is clear that the promotion values him and his talents and I am proud to be a part of that. https://t.co/flpWSf4R1h
— 𝚌.𝚓. 𝚝𝚞𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 (@kidceej) January 10, 2023
AJ McKee resigning with Bellator hurts my heart. Sigh.
— ‘Big Gun’ Brian Petrie (@BrianPetrieMMA) January 10, 2023
Travesty. Wasting talent. Dude should’ve been in the UFC by now lol guess McKee doesn’t wanna hang with the real big dogs https://t.co/tCBiUsLyAp
— 💸 moicano (@FNGgtMMA) January 10, 2023
McKee had two fights left on his deal. Major contract extension … https://t.co/it77IdxUeU
— Brian Martin (@TheBMartin) January 10, 2023
NOOOOOOO @ajmckee101 YOU SUPPOSED TO GO FIGHT VOLK https://t.co/5lBgn4ViSV
— Kape (@Kape_8) January 10, 2023
Great start to the year for Bellator. Had to make this happen, and they did. https://t.co/MH3z2Z2VG9
— Mike Heck (@MikeHeck_JR) January 10, 2023
Undeniably, McKee has been one of the biggest draws in Bellator in recent times. In 2021, “Mercenary” copped the featherweight title and the Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix by submitting Patricio “Pitbull” Freire. He lost his featherweight strap in their rematch in 2022 and the loss to Pitbull remains the only defeat in his career.
McKee decided to move to lightweight and pulled off an impressive 155-pound debut at Bellator 286, beating Spike Carlyle via unanimous decision. He picked up where he left of at Bellator vs. Rizin on New Year’s eve and dominated Roberto Satoshi de Souza en route to another decision win.
