A.J. McKee secured a unanimous decision victory over Salamat Isbulaev, according to MMA Junkie. The match took place on June 28, 2026, in San Diego, California, marking McKee’s third consecutive win since returning to the featherweight division.
What happened
A.J. McKee (25-2) handed Salamat Isbulaev (10-1) his first career defeat at PFL San Diego, earning scores of 30-27 from all three judges. Despite not rating his performance as perfect, McKee remained confident about his standing in the featherweight division. “I feel like I’m hands down the best featherweight in the world,” McKee emphasized.
Throughout the fight, McKee experienced a slower start. He noted, “The fight started at a slower pace, from my perspective,” but recognized the need to adapt. He successfully executed takedowns, stating, “Once I got him down, I thought, ‘This is easy. This is where I want to be.’” As the match progressed, McKee controlled Isbulaev on the ground.
Why it matters
This victory solidifies McKee’s place as a leading contender in the featherweight category. As the former Bellator champion, his return to form following a brief stint in lightweight showcases his versatility and skill set. The absence of a current title in PFL’s featherweight division raises questions about future championship opportunities for fighters in this weight class.
Background
On May 20, 2022, McKee lost his Bellator title to Patricio Freire, prompting him to move up to lightweight. He started strong in that category, achieving a 4-0 record before being upset by Paul Hughes in 2024. Following this defeat, McKee returned to featherweight in mid-2025 and has remained undefeated since.
What’s next
McKee expressed interest in a potential matchup against Alexander Shabliy (25-4) for a title. Details about this fight will hinge on PFL’s decision regarding the featherweight championship structure, which remains unclear at this time.
