A.J. McKee eyes trilogy with Patricio Pitbull after Bellator 286: ‘We can’t end the game 1-and-1’
A.J. McKee is hoping to run things back with Patricio Pitbull.
McKee and Pitbull first met in the main event of Bellator 263 in July of 2021 which also served as the finals of the featherweight grand prix. McKee won the first fight as he scored a first-round submission victory to become the new champ. The two then had an immediate rematch in the main event of Bellator 277 in April with Pitbull winning a very close decision.
After the loss, McKee wanted the trilogy but Bellator opted against it so he moved up to lightweight and beat Spike Carlyle in a very fun fight, which McKee enjoyed.
“It was a fun fight. I enjoyed it. He was a bit bigger, a bit stronger. I tried to get a little (suplex) in there and I couldn’t get his feet off the ground. I was like, ‘Oh, this is a big boy.’ It’s just little things like that,” McKee said after Bellator 286. “I think in due time (I’ll be better at 155) – letting my body get acclimated, walking around 170-175.”
Although A.J. McKee enjoyed his move to lightweight, he still isn’t done at featherweight as he has made it known he wants the trilogy with Patricio Pitbull. With Aaron Pico losing to Jeremy Kennedy on the same card, it’s uncertain who would be next at 145lbs, so McKee is hoping he can be next.
“I need need to know if this ‘pocket pit’ wants to fight for his legacy or not,” McKee said. “Like I’ve always said, I’m willing to. I’m willing to. I think it’s good for my legacy, for his legacy. We can’t end the game 1-and-1. We need to find out.”
As mentioned, Pitbull got the win over Adam Borics to defend his belt for the first time since reclaiming it, but McKee was far from impressed.
“Not really, man,” McKee said. “Not really. No. Great fight. Cool. Borics, I was more impressed with Borics, I would say. … It was his first five five-(minute rounds). Anybody that goes through their first five fives, you learn a lot about somebody, especially yourself. It’s different to fight five fives. That’s why I enjoyed fighting five fives with Patricio. If we fight again, it won’t be five fives.”
