Exclusive: A.J. McKee opens up about potential clash against Usman Nurmagomedov, says he wouldn't be intimidated by his star-studded corner
A.J. McKee recently opened up about a potential lightweight title clash against Usman Nurmagomedov and claimed he wouldn't feel any additional pressure seeing the Dagestani's star-studded corner and team. The 29-year-old is scheduled to fight Paul Hughes at PFL: Battle of the Giants and could earn a title shot should he earn an impressive win.
Nurmagomedov has a star-studded corner and team that includes his coach Javier Mendez, brother Umar, cousin Khabib, and reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.
The knowledge at the reigning Bellator lightweight champion's disposal has been significant for his development as he is highly regarded by his peers and boasts an impressive unbeaten record. Despite the Dagestani's talented team, 'The Mercenary' isn't bothered or worried at all.
During an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda MMA, the former Bellator Grand Prix winner noted that there's no need to panic and try to match Nurmagomedov's team. McKee mentioned that Nurmagomedov corner and team will be a non-factor because they can't join him in the cage and help him:
"Man, it doesn't matter whose in them corners, you know what I mean? Cause at the end of the day, it's him and I in that cage when that door closes. Whatever my father wants to say, whatever Khabib [Nurmagomedov] wants to say, we're gonna hear slight and partial things of it...that door closes and it's us in there fighting. Nobody else. Not Khabib, not my father, nobody else. It's him and I." [11:11 - 11:40]
Check out the full exclusive interview with A.J. McKee below:
Does A.J. McKee have more wins than Usman Nurmagomedov?
A.J. McKee and Usman Nurmagomedov have definitely been among the list of most successful fighters in Bellator history as they have achieved a great deal of success.
There isn't too much of a gap in terms of competition experience, however, 'The Mercenary' does boast the better MMA record. McKee has represented Bellator his entire career and currently has a 22-1 professional record. His accomplishments include featherweight championship and $1 million featherweight Grand Prix winner.
Nurmagomedov, on the other hand, has been successful in his own right and shares similarities with McKee. The Dagestani has an unbeaten 18-0-1 professional record and is the reigning Bellator lightweight champion. Although it wasn't completed, technically the lightweight Grand Prix winner as he defeated Alexandr Shabliy in what would have been the finals.
Check out highlights from A.J. McKee's Bellator featherweight championship win below: