A.J. McKee made another statement in the featherweight division, advancing to the quarterfinals of the Bellator 145-pound grand prix with a lightning-fast knockout at Bellator 228.
A short spell after McKee’s father, Antonio, made a successful comeback, the 24-year-old Mckee sent the crowd at The Forum into a frenzy by starching Georgi Karakhanyan in eight seconds. It was the second-fastest finish in Bellator history.
”I want my motherf*king belt,” the younger McKee crowed after the fight. “Winner-winner, chicken dinner, Let’s go!”
"FASTER THAN A TIK TOK VIDEO!" ️
— DAZN USA (@DAZN_USA) September 29, 2019
AJ McKee needed only EIGHT seconds for his KO! MASTERFUL. #Bellator228 pic.twitter.com/wC83D2Mpxt
Karakhanyan had just stepped back from a glove touch when A.J. McKee loosed an overhand left that sent him to the canvas. Follow-up punches were academic, and McKee got to celebrating.
Long outspoken about a title shot, McKee set his sights on champ Patricio “Pitbull” Freire, Bellator 228’s headliner in Inglewood, Calif.
”I want my belt, but I don’t think he’s going for that,” McKee said. “Duck and dodge - I think it’s coming sooner than later.”
McKee’s unbeaten streak now stands at 15 fights. Karakhanyan, meanwhile, has dropped back-to-back bouts.