Bellator MMA will return to Boise, Idaho this September, and when it does, surging prospect A.J. McKee of Team Bodyshop will take another step up in competition.
On Wednesday, Bellator MMA announced via a press release that it was heading back to the Gem State. At the CenturyLink Arena in Boise, Idaho, the promotion will host Bellator 205. Atop the card, hot prospect A.J. McKee. He’ll be taking a big step up in competition when he faces former champion Pat Curran in the main event. It’s a signal that the company is fully invested in the fighter, son of noted lightweight Antonio McKee.
McKee (11-0), just 23, has fought, and won, all eleven of his pro fights in Bellator MMA. That’s an incredibly impressive feat. As his record has steadily improved over the years he’s also seen a slow but steady uptick in competition. Last time out, it was Justin Lawrence, who took McKee to a three round decision at Bellator 197 in St. Charles, MO. This time, at Bellator 205, it’ll be five rounds or less with ex-featherweight champ Curran.
Pat Curran (23-7) is a former Bellator tournament winner and two-time featherweight champion. Curran has been on an upswing of late, winning three straight after dropping the belt to Patricio Freire in the first defense of his second title reign. After winning the 145lb belt for the first time 2012 against Joe Warren, Curran, now 30, defended the title twice before losing it to Daniel Straus the following year. He’d win it back the following year in a rematch, then drop it to the aforementioned Freire.
Also on the Bellator 205 card, a key fight at middleweight. John Salter will face Rafael Lovato Jr. in a fight that could see one of these two skilled grappling aces earning a shot at the 185lb title. Currently, welterweight champion Rory MacDonald is scheduled to challenge Gegard Mousasi for that particular championship.
Bellator 205 will take place at the CenturyLink Arena in Boise, ID on September 21.
