Patricio Freire vs AJ McKee Predictions & Tips
AJ McKee can win the Grand Prix and become the new Bellator featherweight champion.
Patricio Freire has established himself as arguably the best fighter outside of the UFC fight in recent years.
But McKee is a star on the rise who shines in all aspects of the sport and is comfortable wherever the fight goes.
He can complete his rise to the top by dethroning ‘Pitbull’ at Bellator 263.
- AJ McKee has a perfect 17-0 record
- AJ McKee has stopped all 3 of his opponents in the Grand Prix so far
- AJ McKee has stopped his opponent in 12 of his 17 professional victories
- AJ McKee has a massive 8” reach advantage over Patricio Freire
- AJ McKee has a 4” height advantage over Patricio Freire
Patricio Freire Form
Patricio Freire has fought in Bellator for over 11 years and has established himself as one of the best.
‘Pitbull’ is a two-time featherweight champion and he is also the current lightweight champion.
He goes into the Grand Prix Final on a seven-fight win streak that has seen him make several successful defences of his belt and win the 155lb crown.
Having knocked out Michael Chandler to win the lightweight belt he returned to the 145lb division for the start of the Grand Prix.
Freire needed the judges to award him a decision win over Juan Archuleta in round one, but since then the results have been much more emphatic.
He knocked out Pedro Carvalho in 130 seconds in the quarter-finals and then submitted Emmanuel Sanchez in 3 minutes 35 seconds in the semi-finals.
‘Pitbull’ possesses a 32-4 record that includes 11 knockout wins and 12 submission wins. Of his 4 defeats only 1 has been via stoppage (KO).
AJ McKee Form
AJ McKee has made all 17 of his professional appearances in Bellator and his rise up the ranks has been impressive.
He earned his crack at the Featherweight Grand Prix by besting Pat Curran over five rounds in 2019, and he has taken his shot with both hands.
He needed just eight seconds to knock out the experienced Georgi Karakhanyan in the first round.
Derek Campos stuck around a lot longer in the quarter-finals but was ultimately submitted by armbar in the third round.
McKee was in no mood to go that long in the semi-finals and earned himself Submission of the Year honours for 2020 when he tapped out Darrion Caldwell to a neck crank in the semi-finals.
That victory took his record to 17-0, with 6 of his wins coming via knockout and 6 coming by submission.
Patricio Freire vs AJ McKee FAQs
Where can I watch the Patricio Freire vs AJ McKee live stream?
Our live streaming calendar shows you where to watch the Patricio Freire vs AJ McKee live stream.
Where is Patricio Freire vs AJ McKee taking place?
Patricio Freire vs AJ McKee is taking place at Bellator 263 on Saturday, July 31 at The Forum in Los Angeles, California.