AJ McKee is gunning for the gold medal after defeating rising star Salamat Isblayev in the primary occasion of PFL San Diego with a dominant victory.
McKee, often called one of many high featherweights on the planet, repeatedly put Isblaev on the canvas with stifling grappling, threatening submission earlier than unleashing vicious floor and pound. McKee started attacking Isblaev with elbows from mount within the third spherical and practically completed him, however time ran out earlier than he may get the stoppage.
Nonetheless, all of the judges scored the battle 30-27 in favor of the battle, leaving little question that McKee did greater than sufficient to win.
“Whenever you need one thing accomplished, you name within the mercenaries,” McKee exclaimed after his newest victory. “Isblayev is a beast. I underestimated him, however we’ve got to get him out of there, in a mercenary method.
“I desire a title. That was the purpose of my return to the 145-pound division.”
There was no strategy of shedding emotion because the featherweight threw bombs from the soar and with every punch Isblaev swung for the fences. McKee defended nicely and linked with a strong left hook of his personal.
With simply over two minutes left within the opening interval, McKee wasted no time in positioning himself, taking the again, and scoring with a fast double leg takedown. Isblayev tried to flee via the again door, however ended up flipping and touchdown on high of Mackey.
McKee scrambled out of the best way and hit Isblaev with one other onerous left hand, leading to a takedown simply earlier than the horn.
Because the second spherical started, McKee launched a fast assault, however Isblaev slipped to the bottom as he tried to land a shot from above. McKee shortly slips out of the best way and Isblaev grabs a guillotine, practically forcing the previous Bellator champion to choke Von Flue.
Isbulaev managed to flee, however McKee continued to assault, searching for a gap for a submission and eventually touchdown a takedown. McKee finally moved into facet management and slammed him down with just a few nasty elbows earlier than the spherical ended.
With 5 minutes remaining, Isblaev needed to understand that the one strategy to win was via a end, and he managed to chop Mackey’s eyes because the spherical started. McKee begins combating again with a kick to the physique after which goes as much as the top.
McKee finally ducked and bought one other takedown with simply over 90 seconds left. As Isblaev tried desperately to seize the kimura, McKee shook him off and took the arm triangle choke.
Isblaev survived, however McKee shortly moved to mount and started raining elbows for the end. Though it did not end in a stoppage, McKee clinched the victory within the last minutes of the battle.
The win marks McKee’s third straight win since returning to 145 kilos, and with solely Timur Khizriyev sitting forward of him within the PFL rankings, he appears sure to have a shot on the title subsequent.
Click on right here for full PFL outcomes San Diego:
AJ McKee def. Salamat Isbulaev unanimous determination (30-27 x3)
Liz Carmouche def. Vivian Araujo by submission (guillotine) (R2, 2:07)
Alexander Chablis def.Alfie Davies unanimous determination (30-27 x3)
Rob Wilkinson def. Abraham Babley 2nd spherical TKO (3:23)
Kasan Magomedsharipov def. Joshua Weems by submission (head/arm choke) (R1, 2:10)
Jenna Bishop def. Ariane Lipsky da Silva by way of submission (armbar) (R1, 4:08)
Sarvar John Hamidov def. Justin Wetzell Submitted (RNC) by way of (R2, 4:11)
Shannon Clark def. Ilara João gained by third spherical TKO (1:43)
Coby Fehr def. Daniel Buzdizian by way of submission (anaconda choke) (R1, 2:00)
