The son of Antonio McKee, A.J. McKee went on to become arguably Bellator’s biggest homegrown talent from the time he made his MMA debut in 2015. It culminated in McKee winning 18 straight fights, including a win over Patricio Pitbull to win the Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix and the Bellator featherweight world title. Though he lost his 0 and the title in controversial fashion in a rematch with Pitbull, McKee has rebounded with four straight victories, including his quick armbar win over Clay Collard at the PFL vs. Bellator event in February.
Paul Hughes went 6-2 on the amateur circuit before starting his pro career in 2017, winning his first six fights. Hughes’s lone loss in his pro career thus far came in a split decision against Jordan Vucenic, but Hughes won the rematch and captured featherweight gold in the process. Hughes competed at the Bellator Champions Series event in Dublin in June, scoring a second-round finish of Bobby King.
It’s an exciting battle of young former featherweight champions that kicks off the main card from Saudi Arabia!
Round 1
A McKee body kick is caught by Hughes. Jab-cross by Hughes. Oblique kick by McKee. One-two by McKee. McKee coming forward and swinging away. Round kick by McKee. McKee pressed Hughes into the fence. McKee works a combination. Big knee by Hughes! McKee grabs a hold of the leg, and the pair battle against the fence. Hughes works his way off the fence and lands a right hand on the exit.
Knee to the head lands for Hughes, as McKee looks to get Hughes back against the fence and does so. McKee is looking to get this fight to the ground and keep it there. Hughes scrambles and stays standing, landing shots to a grounded McKee. McKee with an upkick. McKee looks for a leg lock but can’t secure anything. Hughes settles on top after a scramble. McKee lands a pair of upkicks as Hughes brings himself back to his feet. Hughes lands a pair of punches standing. Hughes with another pair of shots to work around McKee’s guard. McKee forced to wrestle, looking for a low single-leg takedown. Knee and a left hand by Hughes as McKee stands back up. Stiff jab by Hughes. Hughes catches a kick and lands a strong knee before the bell.
Hughes lands a left hand as the bell sounds, and McKee is dropped! Hughes scrambles and they have to ring the bell several times to tell the fighters the round is over!
Round 2
Left hand starts a small combination to the body by McKee. High kick from Hughes is blocked. Hughes blocks a kick, and McKee just avoids a counter. Spinning back kick to the body by McKee. Right hand from Hughes. McKee attacks the lead leg. McKee with a left hand. High kick from McKee, followed by a low kick. Hughes lands a kick of his own to the body. McKee trying to work the inside. Hughes locks him up in a clinch and brings McKee to the fence – only for McKee to reverse the position.
McKee looking to back use of the body lock, pressing into the SmartCage barrier. Hughes reverses. McKee with a combination before he avoids a knee from Hughes. Both men score near the fence. Low kick from Hughes. Strong three-punch combination from Hughes. Low kick from McKee. McKee with a round kick that is caught, and Hughes lands a left hook. Strong pair of hooks from Hughes, but he goes for a knee and McKee takes advantage, avoiding it and getting the fight to the ground. Hughes gets his soles back on the mat, but McKee has a hold of him. McKee keeping his wrap, chasing the back of Hughes before the end of the round.
Round 3
Low kick from Hughes. Spinning back kick to the legs by McKee. McKee with a right hook, and he looks to drag the fight back to the ground. McKee has a body lock, attacking the legs and landing a hook. Hughes with a duck under, and McKee is on the ground on his back, with Hughes standing over him. Hughes keeping postures while throwing. McKee gets to his feet, and Hughes can’t connect with a knee. McKee manages to clinch up again and score another takedown.
McKee landing multiple knees to the legs of Hughes. Hughes gets McKee off of him and he swings away on McKee. McKee landing combinations, and Hughes responds in kind. Uppercut by Hughes. One-two from Hughes. McKee misses a one-two. Hughes connecting well, especially on the hook. Hughes stops a McKee takedown attempt, stuffing it. Hughes pressuring McKee’s head. McKee gets away from Hughes’s grasp but not until right before the bell sounds.
OFFICIAL RESULT
Paul Hughes def. A.J. McKee via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
