In the Bellator 286 co-main event, former featherweight champion AJ McKee moved up to 155-pounds to face former UFC fighter, Spike Carlyle. Coming off of a shocking loss to Patricio Pitbull at Bellator 277, McKee will look to get back into the win column against the streaking Carlyle. Winning his last five bouts, ‘The Alpha Ginger’ aimed for the biggest win of his mixed martial arts career on Saturday night.
Round 1
Spike Carlyle came out swinging immediately. AJ McKee is more than game, returning fire in a frantic star. McKee is able to slow things down by backing Carlyle to the fence and landing a takedown. McKee briefly gets Carlyle’s back, but ‘The Alpha Ginger’ is able to reverse the position. Carlyle is able to maintain the top position, reigning down strikes. 90 seconds left in the round, McKee reverses position, but Carlyle is able to quickly get to his feet and initiate another takedown that results in him being mounted by McKee. Carlyle gives up his back. McKee slaps on the body triangle and works for a rear-naked choke, but is unable to cinch it in. In the closing seconds, Carlyle is able to reverse position once again and eats some elbows for his trouble.
Round 2
Both fighters once again come out throwing hands. McKee gets overzealous leading to a brief takedown by Carlyle. McKee gets back to his feet quickly and secures his own takedown against the fence. The pace begins to slow as McKee maintains the top position. Carlyle musters the strength to get back to his feet and eats a solid shot from McKee. The strike stuns Carlyle momentarily allowing McKee to take him back down, threatening an anaconda choke. Carlyle rolls out of danger, getting McKee back into full guard. McKee pushes Carlyle to the fence and delivers some ground and pound as the round comes to a close.
Round 3
Carlyle explodes out of his corner with a glancing right hand. Carlyle is clearly exhausted as McKee swarms in and takes him down, landing in side control. McKee lands some solid elbows that appear to have cut ‘The Alpha Ginger’ open. Wearing the proverbial crimson mask, Carlyle gets back to his feet but is immediately thrown back to the canvas by the former featherweight champion. Carlyle scrambles, getting the top position. McKee briefly threatens a guillotine, but Carlyle fights out of it. The two continue jockeying for position with McKee once again on top, taking Carlyle’s back and finishing the round with a solid rear-naked choke locked in, but not enough time to force the tap.
Official Result: AJ McKee defeated Spike Carlyle via unanimous decision (29-26, 30-26, 30-27)
Check Out Highlights From AJ McKee vs. Spike Carlyle Below:
What you gonna do, brother!? 🔴🟡#Bellator286 is live on @SHOsports. pic.twitter.com/SQrCO9wIHF
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) October 2, 2022
WHAT A START TO THIS FIGHT #Bellator286 pic.twitter.com/HbuVjWAWYQ
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) October 2, 2022
👀 @AJMcKee101 keeps pushing forward.#Bellator286 is LIVE on @SHOsports 👇https://t.co/TbKTQ7lKsu pic.twitter.com/e82dK3GjOD
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) October 2, 2022
.@ajmckee101 showing out in front of his home crowd 🔥#Bellator286 pic.twitter.com/qyq00ifBB0
— SHOWTIME SPORTS (@SHOsports) October 2, 2022
The road to gold 𝗕𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗡𝗦 👊@ajmckee101 starts life at Lightweight with a win 💥 #Bellator286 pic.twitter.com/GHzjBUtbqv
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) October 2, 2022
📊 By The Numbers@ajmckee101 gets the nod over @AlphaGingermma at the @LBConventionCtr!#Bellator286 is live on @SHOsports. pic.twitter.com/JdrUI3AIGX
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) October 2, 2022
