Bellator 171 fills out lineup, including A.J. McKee vs. Brandon Phillips, Jessica Middleton vs. Alice Smith Yauger

The lineup for Bellator’s return to Kansas later this month continues to build with the addition of a pair of main-card fights, as well as bouts for the prelims.

In a featherweight fight on the Spike-broadcast Bellator 171 main card, unbeaten A.J. McKee (6-0 MMA, 6-0 BMMA) is set to take on Brandon Phillips (6-2 MMA, 1-0 BMMA). And in a women’s flyweight fight, Jessica Middleton (1-0 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) will take on Alice Smith Yauger (4-4 MMA, 0-0 BMMA).

Bellator 171 takes place Jan. 27 at Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Kan. The main card airs on Spike following prelims on MMAjunkie.

McKee will put his undefeated record on the line when he steps back in the cae. In December, he had to go to the judges for the first time – and out of the first round for the first time – when he took a unanimous decision from Ray Wood at Bellator 166. Prior to that, the son of former fighter Antonio McKee had a pair of submissions wins and a trio of knockouts to start his pro career.

Phillips will ttry to right his ship after a submission loss to Bryce Mitchell at WSOF 33 in October, his debut for that promotion. Prior to that, he had gotten back in the win column after a decision loss to Wood in regional competition by winning his lone Bellator fight – a unanimous decision over Chuka Willis at Bellator 159 this past June.

Middleton won her pro debut with a unanimous decision over Bruan Ellen this past July at Bellator 159. She’ll take on the more seasoned Yauger, who has won three of her past four fights after starting her pro career with losses in three of her first four. She’ll be making her Bellator debut on the strength of back-to-back decision wins for the Xtreme Knockout regional promotion in 2016.

With the additions, Bellator 171 now includes:

MAIN CARD (Spike, 9 p.m. ET)

• Melvin Guillard vs. Chidi Njokuani
• Aaron Derrow vs. Dave Rickels
• A.J. McKee vs. Brandon Phillips
• Jessica Middleton vs. Alice Smith Yauger

PRELIMINARY CARD (MMAjunkie, 7 p.m. ET)

For more on Bellator 171, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.