'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABiAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAYQAAICAwEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwUABBEGMRQBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUGEQACAQQBBQAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgQAAxExQQUGExRR/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwCr3tvde3qLRLLZ/bFrewh2BBNyNRO0T6qOGQE8UjvPhzB2VG6WO2rbLArsSAgdI6GPwk9xjCOqojyTkaVMcbQGrvt+dLgQbPr3Tb8quX5yVuFRv4BX/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
AJ McKee Jr. doesn’t plan on allowing Roberto de Souza to lean on his jiu-jitsu at Bellator MMA vs. RIZIN FF.
‘The Mercenary’ has been selected to represent Bellator in the main event of a cross-promotional extravaganza on December 31. McKee Jr. will take on De Souza, a BJJ specialist who holds the RIZIN lightweight title. During an interview on Weighing In, the former Bellator featherweight champion had this to say about his upcoming opponent:
“I think it’s gonna be intriguing, because with my wrestling background and his jiu-jitsu, then obviously, I have a jiu-jitsu background… I don’t think we’re playing jiu-jitsu games.”
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Despite most MMA fans being unaware of De Souza, the Brazilian is an extremely dangerous fighter. ‘Satoshi’ holds a pro-MMA record of 14-1 with 10 submission wins and four by KO/TKO. With that said, McKee Jr. might have a few tricks up his sleeve with RIZIN’s ruleset.
Watch AJ McKee Jr. discuss Roberto de Souza below:
AJ McKee Jr. plans to utilize soccer kicks against Roberto de Souza
RIZIN features several similarities to the Pride Fighting Championship, including the use of soccer kicks and a boxing ring. AJ McKee Jr. grew up watching Pride FC and is thrilled to have more tools at his disposal in his upcoming fight. He had this to say during an interview with Low Kick MMA:
“I’m mostly intrigued and excited for the rules. You know, soccer kicks and the knees to the grounded opponent. Since I was a kid, I’ve dreamed of it. Just watching the PRIDE days… You know, just as well as I do, every street fight ends with a good soccer kick to the face. I’m looking forward to just being a bit barbaric out there and utilizing some skills The Mercenary doesn’t normally get to use.”
McKee Jr. is looking to make a statement on December 31. The former Bellator champion bounced back in October after losing his title to Patricio Pitbull earlier in 2022. ‘The Mercenary’ now has an opportunity to silence the doubters by taking out an elite lightweight world champion.
Check out the video below for the full interview:
