AJ McKee, with just one exception, has overwhelmed all comers since making his skilled combined martial arts debut in 2015, and whereas his solely loss to this point nonetheless fills him with frustration, “The Mercenary” is conscious that generally there’s extra info to be gleaned via failure than victory.
In a chat with M&F, the 29-year-old discusses a variety of points forward of his all-important bout in opposition to Paul Hughes on October 19, together with why the transfer from featherweight to light-weight has freed him, and the way he’s coaching himself mentally and bodily for yet one more victory.
McKee hit the highest the MMA mountain when he beat Patrico “Pitbull” Freire and took his Bellator Featherweight World Championship in simply 1 minute and 57 seconds through guillotine choke. That victory was his 18th skilled win and earned him a cool $1 million prize within the course of. However how does that type of success weigh on the thoughts of McKee?
“I’d say I used to be effective with it, you already know?” says the previous newbie wrestler. “My motivation comes from a special supply: figuring out I’m the very best on the planet, desirous to proceed to be the very best on the planet, desirous to struggle the very best on the planet. That’s my motivation, you already know. So, anytime I bought any individual that’s doubting or saying, oh he’s not this or that, it simply provides gas to my fireplace, that makes me simply wish to go show them fallacious, you already know?”
AJ McKee continues to make historical past together with his father by his aspect
McKee is not any stranger to creating an announcement within the cage. He did, in any case, destroy Goergi Krakhanyan in simply eight seconds. “Every thing was simply dialled in and lined up correctly,” he explains. “The evening began off with my father (Antonio McKee) preventing, and he went and bought a end. So, at that time the tone was set, and I type of knew what I needed to do, you already know? So going into the struggle, I’m warming up and I’m like; ‘Dad, I’m going to get the quickest knockout and I fell a few seconds wanting it, however, it was the mindset, the self-belief, simply figuring out what I used to be able to, and with the ability to go in there and implement. It was the important thing.”
Sharing moments together with his dad, who can be his coach, has been important to AJ’s success. “It’s superior, he’s all the time a father, however after we’re within the fitness center he’s coach, so he’s in a position to inform after I’m slacking, and I’m simply kinda B.S.ing, and I need just a little break versus, okay, ‘he’s actually drained and his physique’s needing a break’. So, it’s a double-edged sword. He is aware of the ins and outs of the struggle recreation, he is aware of the ins and out of my life, and what I’m able to as properly. So, there’s actually no slacking. You give it a 110%, and simply proceed to try this. And, generally he tells you, ‘hey, you want a break’. That’s while you gotta simply take a break. He’s been by my aspect.”
AJ McKee turned greater and stronger after his first loss
Inevitably, with the highs additionally come the lows, and McKee’s loss to The Pitbull in his return title defence ranks proper up there. The Mercenary instructed Morning Kombat that he’d had a full “psychological breakdown” within the aftermath of that controversial factors resolution. Nonetheless, as irritating as it’s for the media to have to say that singular loss to him in interview after interview, there are positives to be gleaned in the long run. McKee has accepted that we regularly be taught much more via failure than success.
“Oh, positively,” he says. “That struggle pissed me off rather a lot. So, you already know, I got here again with a special gas below my fireplace. And, I believe lots of people may see it. The struggle after that (a unanimous resolution over Spike Carlyle) was such a high-paced struggle, and each struggle since then has simply been nothing however fireworks, excessive paced output. Just be sure you’re attempting to complete it your complete time. Don’t go away it to the judges, and if it does so occur to go to the judges, just be sure you’ve put in sufficient work in order that they see you victorious.”
His return to type is all of the extra spectacular, as a result of it’s happening within the light-weight division, the place McKee has moved up and amassed a clear sheet of 4 victories to this point. The light-weight division has proved to be a breath of recent air for the highest contender. “I made a decision to go as much as 155 kilos. As soon as I went as much as 155 kilos I’ve felt my talent set is greater than able to being utilized in that division as properly,” he explains, noting that this can be a extra comfy weight for him to keep up. “Attempting to make 145 kilos; there aren’t any cheat meals. There’s no cheat days, you already know. You’re dialled all the best way in. And, there’s much more self-discipline to make 145 kilos. So, it’s gotta make sense.”
Within the light-weight division, McKee is consuming steak (rib eye is his first alternative) and ribs, packing on the protein. He’s hoping this provides extra energy to his already clubbing blows. “So, loads of these guys, they minimize out meals, they usually begin ravenous themselves,” explains McKee. “Dehydrating is type of clearly what you’re gonna must do. However loads of these guys, they cease consuming, and your physique wants the diet. So, you gotta be sure you’re supplying your physique with the fitting proteins.”
AJ McKee tunes himself in mentally through motivational discourse
It’s not simply his bodily prowess that McKee is focussed on, he likes to tune himself in mentally as properly. The fighter often enjoys all varieties of music together with rap, nation, and rock. However as every struggle attracts close to, the MMA star’s playlist turns into full of motivational audio system to pump him up psychologically. It’s a method to put his sporting profession into context whereas the world speculates on his subsequent transfer. The most important hypothesis: Whether or not we’ll ever see The Mercenary vs. The Pitbull III.
Earlier than that may occur, or any hopes of a light-weight championship, McKee’s head wants to remain within the recreation, so he retains his focus locked in. ”I don’t care [who is next], man,” says the chilled-out cage fighter. “No matter they name me with, you already know, you name a mercenary to go do a job—he’s gonna go do the job. So, you deliver me the paperwork and I’ll go deal with it.” Subsequent to be “dealt with” is Paul Hughes, with a powerful report of 12-1-0. This might be a pivotal match in McKee’s profession, however he appears to have the fitting strategy. “Believing in your self is a giant key, so don’t underestimate the thoughts. Don’t underestimate your self.”
AJ “The Mercenary” McKee will face “Massive Information” Paul Hughes in an explosive confrontation at PFL Tremendous Fights: Battle of the Giants on October 19, 2024, at The Mayadeen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The massive card might be headlined by Francis Ngannou vs. PFL Heavyweight Champion, Renan Ferreira.
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