With dad by his side, Bellator 178 winner A.J. McKee is getting serious about MMA career

UNCASSVILLE, Conn. — The proof that A.J. McKee is serious about his MMA career was there for us to see last Friday night at Bellator 178.

In the opening bout of the Spike-televised event at Mohegan Sun Arena, McKee (8-0 MMA, 8-0 BMMA) needed just 1:15 to polish off Dominic Mazzotta (12-2 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) with a devastating first-round head kick to remain undefeated. If there was any doubt about McKee’s commitment to the sport, let this impressive finish serve notice.

“I told you guys if I didn’t knock him out in the first I was going to submit him in the second,” McKee told reporters after his win. “Honestly, this is just me getting serious now, locking down and really focusing on my career. This is my life. This is my career. This is what I do for a living — just being 100 percent on board now, training like an animal and putting in that work every day.”

The 22-year-old McKee has everything he needs to thrive. For starters, fighting is in his blood as his father, veteran fighter Antonio McKee, also serves as his coach. Because of his father’s business acumen, A.J. has an elite training center in BodyShop Fitness in Lakewood, Calif., as his home base.

Even though fighting is what A.J. feels he was always meant for, he’s just now mentally starting to come around.

Antonio McKee.

“It was always what I wanted to, but wanting it faster than I think I was ready for,” McKee said. “Just living that double life, you know — being a normal 22-year-old, you go to the club, hang out with your friends. I should be in college right now, you know? Instead I’m in the gym every day putting in work, grinding, because that’s my job.”

Through eight fights — all in Bellator — McKee is perfect, with six finishing wins and five those coming in the first round. It’s been an impressive first two years as McKee has kept winning while suffering very little thanks to the gym lessons from his dad.

“I try to take the least amount of damage possible. Even in my worse fight, I’ve probably only been hit five times,” McKee said. “My style, the way my dad has groomed and trained me, is to make sure I don’t get hit.”

Which McKee is grateful for. Even more, he values the lessons from his father outside the cage on what it takes to succeed on the business side of things.

“A lot of these guys are signing their rights away. Twenty-five percent of everything they make goes to their manager,” McKee said. “… He’s not just on me as a father and a coach; he’s also a mentor showing me right from wrong and what to do in life. It’s not even like he’s my dad. He’s my best friend.”

And with his best friend by his side, McKee might just be on a path to stardom.

For more on Bellator 178, check out the MMA Events section of the site.