What are Bellator 286’s biggest moments? Jeff Wagenheim and Marc Raimondi offer lessons learned from an action event in Long Beach.
AJ McKee will be fine in light, there are options
After the first loss of his career and preparing to debut in a new weight class, AJ McKee didn’t do anything on Saturday night to make anyone worry about his future. In his hometown of Long Beach, California, McKee defeated Spike Carlyle by unanimous decision in a bloody war in which McKee dominated. Carlyle roared to start the fight, and in the end McKee still knocked him down. For the rest of the battle, Carlyle was mostly on the defensive, with McKee wounding him in the leg and attempting to put on a standout performance on the ground. McKee, a former Bellator featherweight champion, had an impressive first performance at lightweight.
The question now for McKee is what comes next and what makes the most sense. He has options, and they are mostly good choices. The three-part battle with Patricio “Pitbull” Freire is arguably the biggest fight Bellator can pull off right now. McKee said he would only return to featherweight for a championship shot and won that right – he finished “Pitbull” in 2021 before deciding to close again in April. Freire talked about dropping to bantamweight after removing the division, but that’s hypothetical Aaron Pico will soon become a challenger. Pico lost due to injury stopping at Jeremy Kennedy at Bellator 286.
Another possibility for McKee? Participated in the Bellator Lightweight World Grand Prix, which begins in 2023. McKee won the featherweight version of the Grand prix and $1 million in it. He can try with a second million and Bellator lightweight title, which will be in the tournament. By the way, Freire’s brother Patricky is the current 155-pound Bellator champion. If I were McKee, I’d tell Bellator to give me one of the “Pitbull” brothers – Patricio for the featherweight belt and the trilogy or Patricky in the first round of the lightweight tournament for that belt. By the way, Freire’s brother Patricky is the current 155-pound Bellator champion and will defend his title against Usman Nurmagomedov in November. – Raimondi
Maybe it’s time for Pitbull to also consider his options?
Fans booed for most of the 25 minutes of the main event. That reaction was predetermined, in a way, since Bellator 286 was in Long Beach, California, and the fighter controlling every second of the match was Patricio “Pitbull” Freire. Just six months ago, the featherweight champion left Long Beach’s pet son, AJ McKee, the first and only loss of his career.
But will Freire’s performance in this weekend’s unanimous decision win Adam Borics Have pleased the crowd in any arena in any town in the world? Very doubtful. Not because Freire lacks. It’s just that he’s been so effective in a sport with spectacular rewards. The 34th victory of the Brazilian player’s career, the 11th by his decision. He has won by knockout 11 times and has 12 submissions. Talk about comprehensive. Talk about not having a calling card.
Freire is in his third reign as Bellator featherweight champion. He’s also a lightweight champion. He has won nine of his last ten matches, beating some of the best to ever set foot in the round cage. However, this all-time great thing somehow flew under the radar.
When fans discuss which non-UFC fighters can claim to be the best in the entire sport, other Bellator names often pop up more than Freire. Gegard Moussiwhen he was the middleweight champion. Corey Anderson, who is not a champion but has looked dominant since coming from the UFC. “Pitbull” is no less competitive. He just gets less attention.
That could change in his next fight, for which he has options. The 35-year-old was able to fix the score in a three-part match against McKee, who delivered a heart-pounding performance in the co-main event. Or, Freire could drop to bantamweight in pursuit of an unprecedented feat in MMA – winning a championship in the third weight class.
Both options have their downsides. Freire would rob his brother, lightweight champion Patricky, winning that bright spot by pursuing a fight with McKee. And as for Patricio’s drop to 135, I’m never in favor of boxers cutting more weight.
But some did, including Freire’s compatriots Jose Aldo. The 5-foot-6 Freire has a stocky build to pull it off. He can find his diet motivations in the stakes ahead: An opportunity to make history. – Wagenheim
