AJ McKee puts on vintage strong performance to come out victorious in featherweight return

AJ McKee began wrestling at 4 and went on to become a national champion before MMA. After a 7-1 record at amateur, McKee fought exclusively in Bellator for a longtime, scoring victories over the likes of Patricio Pitbull, Darrion Caldwell, Pat Curran, Roberto Satoshi, and Georgi Karakhanyan en route to becoming a Bellator featherweight champion. McKee is 1-1 in the PFL, submitting Clay Collard at the PFL vs. Bellator Champions event in February 2024 but dropping a split decision to Paul Hughes at PFL Battle of the Giants.

Akhmed Magomedov, who wrestled in his youth, has trained with both KHK Dagestan and Team Nurmagomedov. Magomedov is known for his relentless wrestling pace and smothering top control pressure. After a two-year break following a loss to Henry Corrales, Magomedov returned to action at the PFL Champions Series event in January, defeating Nathan Kelly.

Can McKee get back to winning ways? Or will Magomedov continue to find success with his biggest win so far?

Round 1

Low kick from McKee. One-two by McKee. Low kick from Magomedov. One-two by Magomedov now. Clinch attempt from Magomedov doesn’t work. Magomedov gets the takedown, but McKee threatens a triangle. Now he might go for an Omoplata. Magomedov adjusts and starts to pressure while in McKee’s guard. Left hand by Magomedov. Left hand from the bottom by McKee. Referee calls for action. Magomedov trying to pass by the guard. Magomedov tries to isolate an arm.

Punches from both men. Magomedov pinning down a leg with his own. McKee gets the elevation and not only gets back up, but he also scores his own takedown! Magomedov gets to his feet. Some knees by McKee before the separation. Magomediov with a combination. One-two to the body by Magomedov. One-two by Magomedov again, landing on the body. Right hand misses for Magomedov. Side kick by McKee. Right hand by McKee. One-two by McKee. He’s troubled Magomedov it seems. McKee presses, but Magomedov looks to get away. McKee lands a left. Strong left hand by Magomedov. Magomedov presses McKee, but McKee reverses the position and lands a knee and left hand. McKee with a body kick to end the round.

AJ McKee lands a BIG body kick at the end of Round 1. Was Akhmed Magomedov saved by the bell? 👀#PFLCapeTown 🇿🇦 | TODAY | Grand Arena, GrandWest | Cape Town, South Africa | 🇺🇸 LIVE NOW on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/0477xISqHG

— PFL (@PFLMMA) July 19, 2025

Round 2

Magomedov grabs a leg, and while he can’t get the takedown, he presses McKee into the fence. McKee tries to reverse the position, but Magomedov muscles him into a brief takedown. McKee gets back up but is still in trouble. McKee reverses and gets to Magomedov’s back. McKee lifts Magomedov up and brings him down! McKee looks to get hooks in. He’s got the back and a body triangle. McKee hunts for the choke! Left hand by McKee.

McKee landing shots on the ground, trying to weaken Magomedov’s guard. Magomedov takes it for a little while before getting back to his feet. McKee tries for a takedown, but Magomedov had a hold of the cage. The ref gives a hard warning. McKee continues to press Magomedov with less than a minute left in the round. Magomedov breaks away, landing a right hand with 10 seconds to go. One-two by McKee. McKee with a body kick that gets caught, but Magomedov can’t get the takedown before the horn.

Round 3

Spinning kick from Magomedov. A pair of right hands by Magomedov. Magomedov with a single-leg takedown attempt. McKee landing hooks and trying to defend the attempt. The fight goes to the ground, with McKee looking for an ankle. Elbow by McKee. Magomedov gets McKee down, finally scoring the takedown, and getting into the guard of McKee. McKee pushes him off and lands a couple of upkicks. Magomedov goes to the ground, but he’s caught in McKee’s triangle choke! McKee lands a couple of elbows, but Magomedov frees his head. The two land lighter shots as the ref calls for activity. McKee sweeps and gets on top with two minutes to go. McKee threatens a guillotine. McKee gets to the back. Both men are seated as McKee now looks for a choke. McKee gets both hooks in and flattens Magomedov out. Magomedov gets his base back but uses the triangle on the body still. A couple of left hands from McKee. McKee threatens the choke again. McKee stays with Magomedov despite his scrambles. McKee lands a couple of elbows. McKee finishes the fight on the back, landing strikes.

OFFICIAL RESULT

AJ McKee def. Akhmed Magomedov via unanimous decision