LOS ANGELES – When Spike Carlyle first found out about fighting A.J. McKee, he was surprised. But now, with Bellator 286 almost upon him, “The Alpha Ginger” believes the matchup was meant to be.
“Oh yeah, 110 percent,” Carlyle told MMA Junkie during Wednesday’s media day. “I think this was ordained by a higher power for this to happen.”
Carlyle (14-3 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) gets the honor of welcoming former featherweight champion McKee (18-1 MMA, 18-1 BMMA) to lightweight in the Showtime-televised co-main event of Saturday’s card at Long Beach Arena. McKee, 27, is making his 155-pound debut after losing the 145-pound title to Patricio Freire in his last fight, which also served as the first loss of his 19-fight career.
