A.J. McKee desires Usman Nurmagomedov in opening spherical of Bellator Light-weight Grand Prix

Bellator MMA will stage a Light-weight Grand Prix in 2023 which is not going to solely crown the winner as the brand new 155-pound kingpin, but additionally pay him a hefty $1 million payday together with bragging rights.

Certainly, eight of the very best fighters within the weight class will struggle for supremacy together with former Featherweight champion, A.J. McKee, who has solely competed as soon as at Light-weight, defeating Spike Carlyle in a highly-entertaining struggle at Bellator 286. However “The Mercenary” desires a step up within the first spherical, and he desires to go proper to the highest.

Throughout a current interview on the “Weighing In” podcast (by way of MMA Junkie), McKee says he would love nothing greater than to face present division champion, Usman Nurmagomedov, within the opening matchup of the event.

“I believe it’s the struggle that everyone desires to see – on high of, I wish to give him a take a look at,” McKee stated. “I don’t really feel he’s been actually examined but. Patricky (Freire), he’s not a champ to me. He was gifted that belt from his brother – early Christmas current. To be a champion, it’s essential to beat the champion.”

Nurmagomedov defeated Patricky Pitbull at Bellator 288 to win the title and enhance his report to an immaculate 16-0, which incorporates going 5-0 contained in the Bellator cage. However McKee has an important report of his personal, kicking of his profession an ideal 18-0 earlier than dropping his first struggle to Patricio Pitbull at Bellator 277. Whereas McKee could be very conscious of the risks Nurmagomedov possesses, however says his talent set is as much as the duty.

“For Usman, stylistically it’s only a good struggle. We each have the wrestling. I’d be intrigued to see that struggle. I really feel I’ve the benefit on the toes. However wrestling smart, perhaps he can neutralize my wrestling, perhaps I can neutralize his wrestling. And as soon as we get to the bottom, we’ve seen him pull off some good submissions and we’ve seen me pull of some good submissions. So, I really feel like we match up fairly equally as soon as it involves wrestling and on the bottom. It’d be a enjoyable struggle.”

Earlier than McKee begins prepping for the Grand Prix, he’ll participate in his second struggle at 155 kilos this Saturday evening (Dec. 31, 2022) when he battles RIZIN champion, Roberto de Souza, on the upcoming RIZIN vs Bellator MMA occasion in Saitama, Japan.

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