Spike Carlyle knows he’s fortunate to be facing A.J. McKee.
In just his second Bellator fight, Carlyle (14-3 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) will welcome former featherweight champion McKee to the lightweight division at Bellator 286, which takes place Oct. 1 at Long Beach Arena in Long Beach, Calif.
McKee (18-1 MMA, 18-1 BMMA) lost his 145-pound title in a razor-close decision loss to rival Patricio Freire, and now their series is tied 1-1. McKee, who finished Freire in less than two minutes in their first fight, expected a rubber match next. But instead, Freire will defend his title against Adam Borics on the same night McKee faces Carlyle.