Going into Bellator 263 on Saturday, fight fans were expecting a violent exclamation point to close out the rivalry between reigning two-division champ Patricio Pitbull and undefeated challenger A.J. McKee.
But less than one round into their contest, it was McKee who walked away with the submission victory, a new championship, and the $1 million Bellator featherweight world grand prix prize.
Here’s how the rest of his fellow fighters reacted to his historic victory inside The Forum in Inglewood, Calif.
A.J. McKee submits Patricio Pitbull
AJ McKee would kill 2015 McGregor
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) August 1, 2021
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) August 1, 2021
AJ McKee is that dude!!!!!! My goodness
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) August 1, 2021
Happy for @ELNegro01 and @ajmckee101 these cats had a plan and stuck with it. They did it out of his fathers gym too. Absolutely amazing Los Angeles loves that kid! Congratulations champ! Winning a grand prize changes your life. Interested to see what the future holds for AJ!
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) August 1, 2021
Wow crazy impressive for McKee!
— Funky (@Benaskren) August 1, 2021
AJ McKee is a beast #BellatorOnShowtime
— Adrian Yanez (@yanezmma) August 1, 2021
AJ McKee just put that thing on Pitbull . Super dope moment for his father Antonio McKee !
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) August 1, 2021
WOW what a win @ajmckee101 congrats champ @BellatorMMA @Showtime #Bellator263 #AndTheNew
— Frank Mir (@thefrankmir) August 1, 2021
Jesus AJ McKee lol this dude is the truth!
— Deron Winn (@DeronWinn) August 1, 2021
Damn shout out to AJ McKee that was dope #Bellator263
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) August 1, 2021
Son! @ajmckee101 did that shit! #Bellator263 #AndNew
— Mike Jackson, Esq. (@TheTruthJackson) August 1, 2021
Yooooo @BellatorMMA
— khama worthy (@thedeathstar_1) August 1, 2021
Congratulations @ajmckee101 The most respectful fighter I ever fought. No one deserves it more! Keep building your legacy brother https://t.co/GwlZ8CnPBc
— Dominic Mazzotta (@DominicMazzotta) August 1, 2021
Bad stoppage in my opinion @PatricioPitbull didn’t tap he was rocked from the kick but he wasn’t done and the choke doesn’t put him to sleep. It’s $1M on the line and it would be until to the end. @BellatorMMA
— Roan Jucao (@jucao) August 1, 2021