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A.J. McKee rounded off a perfect 5-0 performance for the Bellator MMA fighters versus Rizin in Japan on New Year's Eve.
The former featherweight champion, who was fighting at lightweight on Saturday, displayed great skills as he successfully avoided attacks from Roberto de Souza, the current Rizin champion.
McKee was savvy with his offence both on the feet and on the ground, while de Souza became irritated as he was unable to truly threaten the American even when he had some favourable situations during the fight.
At the conclusion, all three judges gave the fight to McKee, who improved to 2-0 in lightweight competition after previously winning in Bellator at 155 pounds.
“Dream come true,” McKee said about fighting in Japan. “Hopefully I get to come back and put on another show for you.”
A five-fight victory streak for De Souza (14-2) was broken. The Brazilian-born, Japanese-resident fighter, 33, has held the title of Rizin lightweight champion since June 2021, when he defeated Tofiq Musayev by way of first-round submission.