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In the ever-competitive landscape of Bellator’s lightweight division, the list of top contenders may be short, but reigning champion Usman Nurmagomedov has his sights set on a formidable challenger: A.J. McKee. With an undefeated record of 17-0, Nurmagomedov is poised to defend his 155-pound title this Saturday against Alexandr Shabliy in the Bellator Champions Series: San Diego headliner at Pechanga Arena, streamed live on Max.
While the challenge ahead is significant, Nurmagomedov has already identified the next potential threat to his title reign. If victorious against Shabliy, Nurmagomedov believes A.J. McKee, a former featherweight champion with a stellar 22-1 record, is the rightful contender. McKee is set to face Paul Hughes at PFL: Battle of the Giants on October 19 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A win for McKee could position him as the next big name in the lightweight division, aiming for a title in a second weight class.
“I think if he’s healthy and he’s ready, I think it’s going to be A.J. McKee,” . “He’s a tough guy. I think he’s going to win (against Hughes), and then next fight, I think it’s going to be A.J. McKee vs. Usman Nurmagomedov.”
McKee’s potential rise to challenge Nurmagomedov would place him alongside the likes of Ryan Bader, Patricio Freire, and Joe Warren—fighters who have achieved the rare feat of holding belts in two different weight classes in Bellator history. However, many have attempted this and failed, making McKee’s possible pursuit of the lightweight title an intriguing storyline.
Given their success and the prestige associated with their family names in MMA, a showdown between Nurmagomedov and McKee could be one of the most anticipated matchups in Bellator’s lightweight division, capturing the attention of fans and fighters alike.
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