A.J. McKee has made a statement for a PFL featherweight title shot, scoring a big victory in front of a native crowd as he defeated Salamat Isbualev in the main event of PFL San Diego.
The two battled in close during the opening frame, with McKee seemingly getting the better of the clashes. Isbulaev looked to bring the fight to the ground, but it was McKee who had dominant positioning during the round, adding in a pair of takedowns of his own by the end of the frame.
After McKee continued to dominate the stand-up, Isbulaev looked to get the fight to the ground again, only to nearly become the victim of a Von Flue choke attempt. McKee then used his top game again to overwhelm Isbulaev on the mat.
McKee then dominated the third round, even landing some brutal ground-and-pound to bust Isbulaev open in the closing seconds, to sweep the scorecards.
A.J. McKee Dominates In Decision Win Over Salamat Isbulaev In PFL San Diego Main Event
McKee has now won three straight and is 4-1 in PFL since the promotion purchased Bellator, where McKee spent the first eight years of his professional MMA career.
Isbulaev suffers his first loss of his pro career. He made his PFL debut earlier this year, defeating former PFL champion Jesus Pinedo.