AJ McKee open to fighting at Bellator vs. PFL cross-promotion event: “That would be huge”
Former Bellator featherweight champion is AJ McKee open to fighting at a Bellator vs. PFL cross-promotion event, saying “that would be huge.”
McKee recently lost the Bellator 145lbs title in a decision loss to Patricio Pitbull, but he remains one of the top featherweights in the sport. Although there has been some speculation about his current contract status with Bellator due to the “championship clause” and him recently losing his title, it appears as though “The Mercenary” is still under contract with Bellator for two more fights. So while some fans and media have speculated about a move to UFC or PFL, it likely won’t be anytime soon.
That being said, McKee is still open to fighting in another organization — but the path to that is through cross-promotion. At PFL 3, McKee was cornering a teammate, and following the event, he was given the opportunity to speak to the media. While McKee confirmed that his “home” is Bellator and that he has no imminent plans on leaving the organization, he confirmed his interest in a cross-promotion fight. According to McKee, a Bellator vs. PFL cross-promotion event is something he wants.
“Why not? That would be huge. I would be very open to it. I think (Bellator president) Scott (Coker) would be open to it, as well,” McKee said. “Hands down, I feel I’m the best, well I know I’m the best 145er in the world, it doesn’t matter the organization. Let’s fight about it. If somebody feels otherwise, I’ve got some bread to put up for it. PFL might be open to cross-promotion, Bellator’s open to it. I don’t think Uncle Dana is, but maybe we get something going. It could be a possibility. We have Cris Cyborg, myself. We’ve got some big stuff popping here in the near future.”
If PFL and Bellator did hold a cross-promotion event, no doubt it would be one of the biggest non-UFC MMA events out there. There are a lot of hurdles to cross before the two promotions do cross-promote, but if they could come to an agreement, it creates endless new potential matchups for fighters like McKee. By the way, McKee also said that he would have no problem fighting in a co-main event under a Cyborg vs. Kayla Harrison superfight, a potential matchup that McKee calls a “historic fight.”
Are you as excited about the possibility of a PFL vs. Bellator cross-promotion event as AJ McKee is?