Cage Warriors champion Rhys McKee began his second UFC stint by taking on Ange Loosa at UFC Paris.
Loosa had one of the best fights in Dana White’s Contender Series history when he pushed now-ranked UFC fighter Jack Della Maddalena to the limit in a losing effort. That loss, and a bounceback win on the regional circuit, was enough to eventually earn him a shot in the big show. Loosa earned his first UFC win in 2022 and successfully improved to 2-1 in the promotion at the expense of McKee, who entered and exited the cage still searching for his first UFC victory.
Ange Loosa came out firing big right hands and right away he connected, staggering McKee as the crowd chanted his name. McKee recovered quickly but got hurt again when Loosa flurried again. Ange then decided to change levels and get a takedown, a skill he obviously has as a former Kamaru Usman training partner. McKee opted for a guillotine instead of takedown defense; it did not pay off as Loosa popped his head out and settled in top half guard. Loosa landed big ground strikes as McKee struggled to his feet, looking ragged but managing to separate, only to eat more big hooks on the feet.
Loosa began to change his targets and kick the calf before shooting for another takedown, which this time around was sprawled out by Loosa. McKee threw a head kick which was only partially blocked halfway through the round. After that Loosa calmed down somewhat, presumably to preserve cardio. McKee began to use his height and reach advantage, landing some decent body kicks. He was more often able to keep the distance but when Loosa really went for it he was still able to get in and land. With thirty seconds left Loosa caught a kick and landed a right hand off of it, his last big shot before the bell.
The second round began with McKee the forward-pressing fighter at first, but Loosa managed to get some respect back quickly. However Rhys then landed a series of wide hooks around the guard of Loosa, only for Loosa to come back with an overhand right. That right hand continually came over the left hand of McKee, which rarely came back to his chin quickly after being thrown. Each man had opportunities going forward but always came back to the center of the cage quickly. Two minutes into the round Loosa changed levels and got his second takedown into half guard. He passed to side control but McKee reclaimed guard so Loosa stood up, reset, and got to side control again. McKee turned his back and stood up but Loosa got the rear body-lock and dragged the Irishman back to the mat against the cage.
As McKee turned into him Loosa stepped over the legs of McKee into full mount. McKee turned to stand up but Loosa landed a violent barrage of short, dirty boxing strikes. McKee looked about done but the referee did not step in. When Loosa took a breath McKee tried to throw back but Loosa just took him down again. McKee tried to turn and stand up again but Loosa hung heavy on his back with a body-lock while McKee knelt. Loosa held him against the cage and dropped short left hands for the last few seconds of the round.
McKee’s left eye was almost swelled shut when the third round started but he was cleared to fight. Loosa came out and shot a power double leg in the first twenty seconds. He drove Rhys across the octagon and landed in McKee’s full guard against the fence. After a period where Loosa just maintained solid top control, McKee was able to turn and stand up, only for Loosa to lift him high in the air and slam him down. Still, Rhys McKee did not quit and stood right back up, throwing somewhat labored punches. Loosa stayed safe for most of the next minute and then shot another telegraphed double leg, which was defended. McKee pushed him to the ground and then swarmed Loosa, who stumbled backward in exhaustion. The last minute was a constant retreat for Ange Loosa, who turned his back to his foe at one point. But Loosa stayed in there and mainly kept his guard up until the final horn.
The winner of the bout was not really in doubt when the scorecards were read, despite the late rally from Rhys McKee. All three judges gave the win to Loosa, with one giving him all three rounds despite being in trouble late in the third round.
Official Result: Ange Loosa def. Rhys McKee by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
