A.J. McKee
A.J. McKee, born on April 7, 1995, is a top-tier lightweight fighter with an outstanding professional MMA record of 22 wins and 1 loss as of October 2024. McKee, also known as "The Mercenary," is celebrated for his versatile fighting style, blending slick submissions and dynamic striking. Trained by his father, MMA veteran Antonio McKee, he has been a dominant force in the division, showcasing his all-around game.
In his last five fights, McKee has maintained his elite status. He rebounded from a close decision loss to Patricio "Pitbull" Freire in 2022 by submitting UFC veteran Clay Collard earlier this year. Prior to that, he earned a TKO victory over Chris Wade and a decision win over Roberto "Tito" Camargo, emphasizing his ability to adapt and dominate opponents. McKee’s ground game is particularly dangerous, with over half of his wins coming by submission.
Despite his skill set, McKee has shown vulnerabilities in striking exchanges when pressured by aggressive opponents, and his chin was tested in his sole loss to Freire. However, his diverse arsenal and high fight IQ make him a formidable opponent in any matchup.
Paul Hughes
Paul Hughes, born on June 1, 1997, is a rising star in the lightweight division with a professional MMA record of 12 wins and 1 loss as of October 2024. Hailing from Ireland, Hughes is renowned for his knockout power and aggressive striking style, particularly utilizing his elbows and powerful hands. A former Cage Warriors champion, Hughes has quickly climbed the ranks in PFL with an impressive string of victories.
In his last five fights, Hughes has demonstrated his finishing ability. He knocked out Jan Quaeyhaegens and Fabiano Silva in quick fashion, both inside the first two rounds. Hughes also showed his resilience in a split-decision win over veteran fighter Henrique da Silva, where he was pushed to his limits but showcased his grit. Known for his heavy hands, Hughes is always a threat to end a fight early, but his ground game has been less tested, making his submission defense a potential weakness in this matchup.
While Hughes possesses significant knockout power, his aggression sometimes leaves him vulnerable to counter-attacks, and his ground game, though improving, hasn’t faced someone with the caliber of McKee’s grappling.
Fight Breakdown & Prediction
This matchup will likely be dictated by who can impose their game plan first. McKee’s well-rounded skills give him more paths to victory, especially if the fight goes to the ground, where he holds a distinct advantage with his submission game. He will look to keep Hughes at a distance with his diverse striking and capitalize on any opportunity to take the fight to the mat, where he can exploit Hughes' lesser experience in grappling exchanges.
For Hughes, the key will be to apply constant pressure and use his knockout power to keep McKee on the back foot. If he can close the distance and connect with his powerful strikes early, he has a real chance of finishing the fight. However, if he fails to land heavy shots in the early rounds, McKee’s fight IQ and grappling could take over.
Given McKee’s experience against elite competition and his ability to adapt his game plan, he is favored to secure the victory. Hughes will undoubtedly pose a threat with his striking, but McKee’s ground game and overall versatility should allow him to control the fight.
Prediction: A.J. McKee via submission in Round 3.
