The Star Has Arrived
With success comes questions. And for the “junior organization” it’s a big one. Can Bellator keep McKee? It’s an interesting situation Scott Coker will be dealing with now. The “Mercenary” isn’t even touching his prime yet, which is scary to think about. AJ-McKee is a young 26-years-old. And now as a champion, more demands come.
Can Bellator Keep McKee
No matter how humble McKee may or may not be, everything in life is about the bottom line. Hence why over the last five-years free agency has “boomed” across MMA, like wildfire. Showing that it’s just like every team sport. The California native at 5’10” is a big framed featherweight. In a parallel universe, he’s a “tweener”; a perfect fit if there was such a thing as a 150 pound division in MMA.
McKee came into the fight versus Pitbull on the last fight on his contract. And once Freire’s arm went limp, the champion’s clause kicked in. That’s three-more fights guaranteed, or he can sit for a year to terminate he deal. Now that’s highly unlikely, but there’s going to be an added cost to please him now. McKee himself said point blank:
“It’s time for Bellator to show what my value is. It’s time to take care of me. I’ve shown them what I’m willing to do, and I think they’re more than happy and more than excited to continue to work with me.”
Now without a doubt, McKee who owns the longest winning streak in Bellator at 18; means a lot to the company. But to keep him, even with the bigger backers they have now; it’ll have to make sense financially for them too. Otherwise, he may just take his Snickers bar, and walk away.
He’s spoken about loving to get the opportunity to fight Max Holloway. As it sits now, that’s not happening. Staying put he has a slew of options. Defend the 145 strap at least once; possibly against Emmanuel Sanchez, Mads Burnell, Adam Borics, or Jay-Jay Wilson. Re-matching Pitbull at 145, or up at 155 for his lightweight strap. The one fighter he has no interest in fighting would most likely be the most exciting. His good friend and former training partner, Aaron-Pico.
Scott Coker And Bellator Are In A Tough Spot
He’s talked openly that one day he’ll wind up in the UFC. So what can they do? Yes he’s incredibly talented. But getting to 145 is tougher and tougher for him, Holloway tried 155, and found out what he does doesn’t translate so well. Especially with those killers. It’s hard to imagine him hanging with most of the 155er’s. And there’s a slew of Dagestani Sambo fighters ready to be on his heels.
With one-toe out, maybe now is the time for a change, although Coker has said he can’t wait to see what “this dynamite kid does next”. Let’s remember; Eddie Alvarez and Michael Chandler were the face of the organization for a decent time, and they moved on. This king’s reign might not be as long as many thought it might be.
Can Bellator Keep McKee? A Possible Saving Nugget
McKee’s said he’d like to give boxing a try. The fact that there’s a connection with SHOWTIME, does make it feasible. In boxing he’d be a welterweight. And that’s one of boxing’s deeper divisions right now. Could he hang with the likes of Pacquaio, Spence, Crawford? Probably not. But there are some names good enough to go across his on a poster. Jaron Ennis, Mario Barios, Sergey Lipinets, and even a Danny Garcia would fit nicely.
