Pitbull Champ Champ no more as McKee takes Featherweight title

5 years ago - Sportingbase

AJ McKee has beaten Patricio Freire ‘Pitbull’ in quick fashion to walk away with the Bellator Featherweight title. In doing so, McKee was awarded a one million dollar bonus after progressing all the way through the Featherweight Grand Prix.

The Million Dollar Submission! 💰@AJMcKee101 stops @PatricioPitbull to become the Bellator Featherweight World Champion. WOW!
A historic moment at @TheForum. #Bellator263 pic.twitter.com/fg75zEKrta
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) August 1, 2021

Pitbull came into the fight as a two-weight world champion, already donning the lightweight championship in which he won when he beat Michael Chandler in 2019.

The loss to McKee came by a guillotine choke submission and the undefeated fighter now moves to 18-0.

Now McKee is the champ, he has the opportunity to go up to lightweight and rematch Freire in a new weight division.

Although he is the new 145 champ, many would criticise Bellator if he was given the title shot straight away and considering Pitbull’s brother Patricky is the number one ranked lightweight, a matchup would be enticing for fans.

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McKee may also decide to defend his featherweight strap once before making the move up a division, so we will have to wait and see what he decides. In his post-fight interview, the American fighter said he wanted to hold onto the belt “forever” which will mean he will have to defend the belt at one point in the near future.

On his road to the belt, McKee beat the likes of Derek Campos in December 2019, former 135 champion Darrion Caldwell in November 2019 and then Pitbull in the final.

Three fights in just under two years aren’t the greatest sign of activity from a fighter but now McKee is the champion, it’s certain that he will improve.

REACTION FROM MMA FIGHTERS AND PUNDITS:

AJ McKee is that dude!!!!!! My goodness

— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) August 1, 2021

Oh My God. AJ McKee is the real freaking deal and then some. Oh. My. God. Basically knocks Pitbull out with a head kick. Starts to walk away, forced to return and submits him standing guillotine. Damnnnnnn.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) August 1, 2021