For A.J. McKee, his story with Patricio Freire is still being written.
McKee (20-1 MMA, 20-1 BMMA) and Freire (35-5 MMA, 23-5 BMMA) have split their two fights against each other, with McKee submitting Freire to win the featherweight grand prix in 2021 and “Pitbull” avenging his loss i to regain his belt in a unanimous decision win.
McKee has since moved up to lightweight, and Freire eventually dropped down to bantamweight. Freire failed in his bid to claim a Bellator title in a third division when he lost to champion Sergio Pettis in June, but that hasn’t changed McKee’s mind on a potential trilogy.
“I wanted Patricio to do good,” McKee told MMA Junkie Radio. “It sucks he took an ‘L.’ Obviously nobody wants to lose, but I still think we’ve got unfinished business – one-one, he was the champ-champ. I’m looking forward to becoming the champ-champ myself, and then maybe I’ll come back down to ’45, and we can fight that trilogy out at 145.”
McKee (20-1 MMA, 20-1 BMMA) meets Freire’s brother, former lightweight champion Patricky Freire (24-11 MMA, 15-9 BMMA), in the opening round of the 155-pound grand prix at Bellator X Rizin 2 on July 30 near Tokyo.
While his focus is on lightweight, McKee is willing to return to featherweight to complete his rubber match with Freire or take on any notable challenge.
“I can do a couple more fights maybe at ’45, but for the most part, I’m pretty much done with ’45,” McKee said. “I feel I’ve made a pretty good statement at 145 pounds that the division and, anybody in the world, I know I’m the best, period.
“If anybody wants to test it, then I’m more than willing to do it. I’m more than capable to do it. Other than that, I feel being named the best 145 pounder is hands down. That’s not a question. So, for now, lightweight is my home, and that’s where I’m willing to work to be called the best at that division now.”
A.J. McKee on Patricio Freire: ‘I still think we’ve got unfinished business’ with series tied 1-1
