With Knee Still Healing, A.J. McKee Considers COVID-19 Delay a Blessing in Disguise

Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream UFC 249 live on your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app.

Advertisement

Make no mistake, A.J. McKee had every intention of facing Darrion Caldwell in the semifinals of the Bellator featherweight grand prix on June 6.

However, now that the coronavirus pandemic has forced the promotion to suspend its entire schedule, “The Mercenary” doesn’t mind having a little extra time to heal. McKee tore the lateral collateral ligament in his left knee while throwing a spinning heel kick in his victory over Derek Campos this past December. The 25-year-old had surgery in February, and prognosis for recovery ranges anywhere from four to eight months.

“Me being a fighter, I signed a contract and [I] show up to fight,” McKee told Sherdog.com of his previously scheduled date with Caldwell. “There’s been times I’ve previously fought with a broken hand going into the fight…If I sign that dotted line, me being ‘The Mercenary,’ I’ve got a job to do… I think I’d be ready June 6, but giving me more time with this corona stuff and whatnot, it’s definitely a blessing for me in disguise.”

In terms of kicking, McKee says he’s currently at about “70 to 80 percent,” but “I kind of baby it because I’m aware of my body.” Like most everyone on the Bellator roster, the Team Bodyshop representative has found himself with a lot more downtime than he’s usually accustomed to having. After maintaining an active schedule since making his pro debut with Bellator in 2015, McKee appreciates the opportunity to take a step back.

“I went straight to Bellator out of my amateur and it’s been three or four fights a year constantly,” he said. “It’s nice to be able to take a little break and be able to relax and focus on different crafts outside of just training twice a day. I get to work on my car a lot more, go to the shooting range and mess around and have fun with other things I like to do in my spare time. For the most part it’s therapy, gym and a lot of food.”

As recently as a few months ago, McKee didn’t have such a grounded perspective. Upon undergoing surgery for his torn LCL, the featherweight star went into a funk. It didn’t take him long to snap out of the malaise, however.

“After the surgery I was super depressed,” McKee admitted. “I sat in bed for two to three weeks. Wouldn’t move. I was just like, ‘My career, what’s next? I’m fighting in the tournament.’”

“There was a real pivotal point where I had to change my mind set and the thought process in everything that was going on. It’s definitely made me appreciate the fight game a lot more because this is all I do. I live, eat, breathe and sleep this stuff. Not being able to train twice a day — it was horrible, man. Don’t tell my doctor, but I was sparring three weeks after surgery. I couldn’t stay off the mat.”

Once the tournament is back on schedule, McKee has a few thoughts on how he’d like things to play out in the coming months. Although “The Mercenary” has mentioned reigning featherweight champ Patricio Freire more than a few times in interviews, he now has designs on facing “Pitbull” for the 155-pound title down the road. As far as the featherweight bracket is concerned, he has a different opponent in mind for the finals.

“I prefer it not to be ‘Pitbull,’” McKee said. “… Before Conor McGregor became a double champ, I actually said I was gonna be a double champ and he went and did it … With Pitbull having the 145 and 155-pound belts, I actually would like to fight Emmanuel Sanchez and then go whip [Freire’s] ass for that 155-pound belt right after.

“Emmanuel Sanchez and I got a little…I wouldn’t even call it a beef, but he’s just a mouthy guy. When it comes time to walk that walk, I don’t think he wants to walk that walk.”