After every of his 17 wins to start his profession, AJ McKee has made certain to make it identified that his sights had been set on Patricio “Pitbull” Freire, the present featherweight and light-weight Bellator champ and a person who many contemplate to be the best MMA fighter in that promotion’s historical past.
After publicly calling him out numerous of occasions, “the Mercenary” (17-0-0) will get his alternative to assert what he feels is his on July 31 at Bellator 263 on Showtime within the Featherweight World Grand Prix Finals for the world title and a million-dollar prize. Including to storybook ingredient is the battle can be going down on the Discussion board in Los Angeles. McKee, who’s a Compton native, may have the help of his hometown as he seems to be to dethrone Pitbull (32-4-0) and take the following leap in his career.
We spoke with McKee on simply how he’s been prepping for the battle he’s been calling for since his Bellator profession start and his plans on using the prize cash.
You’ve been calling for this battle since your first victory. With how lengthy you’ve been pushing for this chance, how do you mood your feelings now that the battle is approaching?
The large secret’s to simply stay targeted on retaining the course. My dad is actually good at retaining me levelheaded. He is aware of I’m one to simply go and get it, and he’s all the time telling me to battle sensible, don’t be wanting to go and get it. That’s going to be a giant half on this battle with Pitbull. When everybody fights him, they take the battle to him. With the ability to discover that, retaining in thoughts that I’m the longer, youthful, stronger, and faster man, I don’t must be wanting to go get it. As soon as that door closes, I’ve 25 minutes to do what I do greatest and make him convey the battle to me. On the finish of the day, he’s the champ, however he’s combating me in my hometown, my yard. I’m going to have all of the followers in there cheering for me, which goes to be superior.
Have you ever allowed your self some alternative to get your thoughts away from the battle somewhat bit or have you ever remained locked in?
I type of keep busy, and I get that from my dad. Staying busy retains our minds going to the place we will concentrate on the duty at hand. I’m not an individual who can stay focused on one factor. Clearly, the principle objective is thrashing Patricio Pitbull. Having been calling his title for 17 fights, that’s been who we’ve educated for because the starting of time as a result of he’s been the person. I really feel he takes it somewhat private at occasions, but it surely’s nothing private. He’s been a terrific champ and has held that belt since I’ve first stepped foot within the group. It’s going to be a enjoyable one and I’m trying ahead to it.
Contemplating the percentages you overcame from in rising up in Compton, CA, how a lot sweeter does having this match in your hometown make this battle for you?
I believe that solely provides 10 occasions extra motivation for me to verify to go on the market and battle sensible. The truth that I do know the whole enviornment goes to be behind me is wonderful. It’s not like we’re in Brazil combating in entrance of his hometown. Yeah, he’s the champ, however he’s obtained to convey the battle to me. On the finish of the day, if individuals are booing, they’re being him as a result of I do know they aren’t booing me. It’s going to be enjoyable. Protecting that in thoughts, it offers me extra of an incentive to do issues proper.
I’ve watched him all through the event, and everybody has appeared to have a terrific recreation plan however all of them type of resort again to what they know and that’s chasing him. Staying composed and calm goes to be a giant key on this battle as soon as we get in there. I can say what I’m going to do till we get in there and that door closes. As soon as we contact gloves, a wholly totally different animal comes out. As soon as he realizes what he’s coping with when that door closes, that’s when the enjoyable begins.
There are professionals and cons to the event type. What’s your ideas on it?
I’d say I type of don’t prefer it. If this was again within the day and it was the previous PRIDE guidelines and we get the entire event performed in a single or two nights, I’d be all about it. I really feel like these had been the perfect tournaments that MMA had placed on. Clearly, with COVID occurring in the course of the event, it’s been somewhat extended and having two fights previously two years isn’t ultimate. On the finish of the day, after going by knee surgical procedure, it gave me time to recuperate and I’ve to rely my blessings the place I can. I’m nonetheless within the event and I take that as a blessing. Ending everybody within the event is a giant stamp on my profession. I’m going by the whole event with finishes. On the finish of the day, it’s a fats payday and I’m trying ahead to it.
After the surgical procedure, how lengthy would you say it took so that you can get to a stage to the place you had been not fascinated about the knee?
[Darrion] Caldwell and I had been presupposed to battle in June. I signed the contract and was able to battle and about 80 %. It will’ve been excellent timing, however that battle obtained postponed. By the point June got here, I used to be prepared and after that, it was good. It was about six months after surgical procedure earlier than I felt I used to be good.
What does a typical day of camp encompass for you?
From a dietary standpoint, that is dependent upon my weight. One night time, I had asparagus, a wagyu bone-in ribeye, and spinach. This morning, I awoke, had an egg white omelet with somewhat little bit of the leftover steak. Coaching smart, working is essential to get my weight down. My dad has these crazy ass workouts that I hate with a ardour, however I like on the identical time. We name him the Wizard as a result of he comes up with some loopy stuff. For probably the most half, it’s two days on with three practices, together with the run at day and night time. That’s about it. A very good run, then a tough apply within the morning with the workforce. The nighttime apply is extra mitt work, strength and conditioning, and we go from there.
Have you ever allowed your self to think about what you’ll do with that million-dollar prize?
Actual property and a few investments is a good way to go. I stay in Los Angeles, and a mil is a pleasant down cost on a pleasant home within the neighborhoods I’m making an attempt to stay in, if even a down cost at that. It’s a terrific begin and I will pay my dad’s home off and go put a pleasant down cost on one thing for myself and have a look at what’s to return sooner or later. Being undefeated and seeing 1,000,000 {dollars}, I really feel I shouldn’t see something beneath that. I wish to hold reaching new plateaus and alter the game of combined martial arts altogether. There’s nothing actually left for me on the 145-pound division. I’ll have had 18 fights at that time in that division, so I’ll go as much as 155 kilos and dethrone Patricio there as properly and see how issues go from there.
