AJ McKee “The Mercenary”
Featherweight (66kg) · United States · PFL
Complete southpaw who can win a round striking, wrestling or hunting submissions.
The first-round submission of Patricio Freire in the 2021 Bellator Grand Prix final — world title and $1 million in one night.
Record & stats
| Division | Featherweight (66kg) |
|---|---|
| Categories | MMA |
| Promotion | PFL |
| Nationality | United States |
| Team | Team Bodyshop |
| Height | 178cm (5'10")5′10″ |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Age | 31 |
| KO rate | 56% |
| Status | Active |
How the wins come
56% Finish rate- 6 KO/TKO · 24%
- 8 Submission · 32%
- 11 Decision · 44%
Titles & honors
- Bellator Featherweight World Champion (2021)
- 2021 Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix winner ($1 million)
Biography
AJ McKee (born Antonio DeCarlo McKee Jr., 7 April 1995) is a 25-2 American featherweight. In July 2021, undefeated himself at the time, he submitted Patricio Freire in the first round to win the Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix, the $1 million prize and the world title in one night. He fights out of Team Bodyshop, run by his father Antonio McKee, and stands southpaw.
He lost the belt in the April 2022 rematch with Freire, spent a spell at lightweight, and moved on to the PFL. A split-decision loss to Paul Hughes in October 2024 is his only other career defeat — and since returning to 145lbs he has gone 3-0: Akhmed Magomedov in July 2025, Adam Borics in March 2026, and then a 30-27 shutout of the unbeaten Salamat Isbulaev at PFL San Diego on 27 June 2026 for career win number 25.
That win set up the biggest fight of his second act. On 10 September 2026 at Kyocera Dome Osaka he faces RIZIN featherweight champion Razhabali Shaydullaev at SUPER RIZIN.5. Per the PFL's official release, both the RIZIN featherweight championship and the PFL world featherweight championship are on the line in the same bout. RIZIN CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara called it "something unprecedented: placing the championship belts of both organizations on the line in a single fight hosted by one promotion."
The same card carries Mikuru Asakura vs Shinya Aoki, plus Roberto Satoshi Souza and Ren Hiramoto — the full SUPER RIZIN.5 card is here.
Record and measurements are as of 7 August 2026. Reach is omitted because reputable sources did not agree on a figure. Sources: Wikipedia (A. J. McKee), ESPN fighter page, PFL official release.
Fight history
- WSalamat IsbulaevW UD 3
- WAdam BoricsW UD 3
- WAkhmed MagomedovW UD 3
- LPaul HughesL SD 3
- WClay CollardW SUB R1
- WSidney OutlawW UD 3
FAQ
- What is AJ McKee's record?
- 25-2 as of 7 August 2026 — 6 wins by KO/TKO, 8 by submission and 11 by decision. Both losses were decisions (Patricio Freire in 2022, Paul Hughes in 2024).
- When is AJ McKee's next fight?
- 10 September 2026 at Kyocera Dome Osaka for SUPER RIZIN.5, against RIZIN featherweight champion Razhabali Shaydullaev.
- Which belts are on the line at SUPER RIZIN.5?
- Per the PFL's official release, the RIZIN featherweight championship and the PFL world featherweight championship are both contested in the same fight.
- Has AJ McKee been a world champion?
- Yes. In July 2021, then undefeated, he submitted Patricio Freire in round one to win the Bellator featherweight world title and the Featherweight World Grand Prix, worth $1 million.