A.J. McKee Targets MMA Retirement at 35 as PFL Featherweight Belt Chase Continues
Updated
Updated · MMA Fighting · Jun 27
A.J. McKee Targets MMA Retirement at 35 as PFL Featherweight Belt Chase Continues
2 articles · Updated · MMA Fighting · Jun 27
Summary
A.J. McKee, 31, said he plans to retire from MMA in about four years and be done by 35, unless an “abnormal amount of money” changes that timeline.
The former Bellator champion said he set the cap to avoid fighting into his 40s and to leave the sport “on the top” while pursuing other adrenaline-driven interests such as racing.
That timeline comes as McKee returns to featherweight for Saturday’s PFL San Diego main event against unbeaten Salamat Isbulaev, saying he dropped back to 145 pounds because he missed being a champion.
McKee is 3-1 in PFL after wins over Akhmed Magomedov and Adam Borics, but neither bout was for the inaugural belt he wants to capture before ending his career.
Against 10-0 Isbulaev, McKee said his edge is experience and pace, arguing the Russian has not fought many long 15-minute pro bouts and could fade in deeper waters.