It's about damn time. One of the best 155lbers you haven't heard of. Hasn't lost since a 2003 decision loss to Karo Parisyan. Yup, he's tough. Keep your eyes out for McKee.
source: www.mmajunkie.com
fighter many consider the most underrated – and under-appreciated – lightweight in MMA today finally will get the chance to prove he's world class.
Antonio McKee is UFC bound.
The news was confirmed today by sources close to the organization, who told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that the veteran has signed a four-fight deal and will soon make his octagon debut.
While the 40-year-old McKee's outspoken character consistently has drawn headlines throughout his 11-year pro career, he's piqued the UFC's interest with his most recent fights.
Namely, his ability to finish them.
After years of carrying the unofficial title of "world's most boring fighter," McKee, a former amateur wrestler, made a concerted effort to smash that mantle with two stoppage wins, including one that came just five days ago in front of HDNet cameras at MFC 26.
"Mandingo" said he would retire if he couldn't finish PRIDE veteran Luciano Azevedo in exciting fashion, something HDNet analyst Guy Metzger doubted he could do.
Early in the fight, McKee (25-3-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) earned a takedown and appeared to be on his way to earning his 19th career decision victory. Instead, he split wide open Azevedo's forehead with an elbow from top position, which prompted the referee's intervention in the first frame.
Six months prior, he took out another Brazilian when he notched a first-round submission victory over Rodrigo Ruiz at a regional California event.
The IFL vet now is now 14-0-1 over the past seven years with wins over the likes of Carlo Prater, Derrick Noble, Mike Dolce and Marcus Aurelio.
"It's going down," McKee today told MMAjunkie.com. "In the event that when I'm matched up with an opponent, I'm going to be tested, and I'm sure it would look real good to give me an opponent to beat me, and shut me up, (so the UFC) can kick me out. Or, I'm going to surprise a lot of people."
McKee said he hasn't yet received a timeline or opponent for his debut.
source: www.mmajunkie.com
fighter many consider the most underrated – and under-appreciated – lightweight in MMA today finally will get the chance to prove he's world class.
Antonio McKee is UFC bound.
The news was confirmed today by sources close to the organization, who told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that the veteran has signed a four-fight deal and will soon make his octagon debut.
While the 40-year-old McKee's outspoken character consistently has drawn headlines throughout his 11-year pro career, he's piqued the UFC's interest with his most recent fights.
Namely, his ability to finish them.
After years of carrying the unofficial title of "world's most boring fighter," McKee, a former amateur wrestler, made a concerted effort to smash that mantle with two stoppage wins, including one that came just five days ago in front of HDNet cameras at MFC 26.
"Mandingo" said he would retire if he couldn't finish PRIDE veteran Luciano Azevedo in exciting fashion, something HDNet analyst Guy Metzger doubted he could do.
Early in the fight, McKee (25-3-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) earned a takedown and appeared to be on his way to earning his 19th career decision victory. Instead, he split wide open Azevedo's forehead with an elbow from top position, which prompted the referee's intervention in the first frame.
Six months prior, he took out another Brazilian when he notched a first-round submission victory over Rodrigo Ruiz at a regional California event.
The IFL vet now is now 14-0-1 over the past seven years with wins over the likes of Carlo Prater, Derrick Noble, Mike Dolce and Marcus Aurelio.
"It's going down," McKee today told MMAjunkie.com. "In the event that when I'm matched up with an opponent, I'm going to be tested, and I'm sure it would look real good to give me an opponent to beat me, and shut me up, (so the UFC) can kick me out. Or, I'm going to surprise a lot of people."
McKee said he hasn't yet received a timeline or opponent for his debut.