A.J. McKee (photo via Bellator)

By FCF Staff

A.J. McKee is close to completing his current contract with Bellator, and the rising star hopes to do so having one the featherweight title and grand prix.

The 25-year-old, undefeated fighter submitted Darrion Caldwell in November to advance to the finals of the featherweight grand prix. McKee is waiting to see who he’ll face in the finals, as champion Patricio Freire will take on Emmanuel Sanchez in the other semifinal (date to be determined).

Recently McKee spoke with MMA Junkie, and while discussing the fact his contract ends with two more bouts, the 17-0 fighter said this.

“You know how contracts work – they’ve got clauses and whatnot – but we’ll sit down,” McKee said. “We’re going to have to do some sit-down after this tournament for sure. Once I get through this tournament and knock ‘Pitbull’s’ ass out and shock the world again, it’s going to give me a lot of leverage. I’ve always said it. I’m the Floyd Mayweather of MMA, so I’m looking to make that Floyd money and $100 million checks and be undefeated. Khabib (Nurmagomedov is) the only other person to do it, and he’s not doing it like me.”

And while discussing the fact he hopes to further establish himself, against the top featherweights in the world, McKee said this.

“I’m going to make some examples out of people,” McKee said. “I cannot wait. I’m looking across at the UFC like, ‘I would love to have a field day with some of these guys.’ Brian Ortega put me in a triangle when I was 19. If it ever happens I’ve got to get that kid back. Him, (Max) Holloway, (Alexander) Volkanovski – those are the three I really watch. If you’re not top three I don’t really care. That’s my mindset. If you’re not at the top of the food chain, why do I even care about you?”

The California fighter quickly KO’d Georgi Karakhanyan in the opening round of the grand prix, and in the quarterfinals, he submitted Derek Campos.