Former Bellator featherweight champion A.J. McKee, who faces reigning Rizin lightweight title holder Roberto de Souza on New Year’s Eve, wants to start next year against Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov.
According to the American, he is not averse to taking part in the Bellator lightweight Grand Prix, which the organization plans to hold in 2023, and expects to meet the Russian fighter in the first round.
“Yes, I need a title, so I want to fight Usman in the first round,” McKee said in a pre-match interview. “When I signed up for the Featherweight Grand Prix, I proved everything by killing everyone in my path, just like I promised. Should I prove myself again? I have no problem with this. I have a goal, and it doesn’t matter to me who it is – I’m ready to put on a great show and take what belongs to me.
As a reminder, the lightweight bout between McKee and de Souza will be the main event of the joint tournament Rizin and Bellator, which will be held on December 31 in Saitama, Japan.
Source: https://fighttime.ru/news/item/30362-ej-dzhej-makki-brosil-vyzov-usmanu-nurmagomedovu.html?rand=19907
