Patricio Freire and AJ McKee (right) (image via Bellator)

By FCF Staff

AJ McKee acknowledges that Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire is one of the most accomplished fighters in the game. But, the rising star believes he will end the Freire era when they battle later this year.

Freire (32-4) ensured he’ll face McKee (17-0) in the finals of Bellator’s featherweight grand prix on Friday, by choking out Emmanuel Sanchez. McKee won his semifinal in November, by submitting Darrion Caldwell at Bellator 253.

After Freire’s impressive win, the 25-year-old McKee had this to say about his upcoming match-up with the champ-champ (quotes via Bellator press release).

“Patricio Pitbull has been the man. Nothing against him. He’s got great accolades. I already said I’m going to be the champ-champ. For me, it’s the new era. He said my time is over. My time has just begun. We’ll see.

“It’s a fight the fans have wanted for the longest. On top of that, he’s underrated. He’s an outstanding champ. His accolades, his credentials, his record is phenomenal. But at the end of the day, nobody has a win over me. Nobody has a belt with my name on it and nobody is going to get a belt with my name on it.”

The 33-year-old Freire, who also holds Bellator’s lightweight title, said this about McKee.

“I am ready to fight AJ McKee right now, please just tell Showtime, I will get in the cage and we can take care of this tomorrow.”

“I want to be the first man to defeat McKee, he has been opening his mouth about me for a very long time, this will be the biggest fight in Bellatorhistory.”

Following Bellator 255, the promotion’s president Scott Coker reported they are hoping to book Freire – McKee for some time this summer.