Khabib vs. AJ McKee: Could 'The Eagle' Dominate Bellator's Cage?

Jul 20, 2025

Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. AJ McKee: A Cross-Promotional Fantasy Fight

The retirement of Khabib Nurmagomedov left a void in the world of mixed martial arts, prompting endless 'what if' scenarios. One particularly intriguing hypothetical matchup pits 'The Eagle' against AJ McKee, one of Bellator MMA's brightest stars. This isn't just a battle of skill; it's a clash of promotions, fighting styles, and even slightly different rule sets. Could Khabib's relentless grappling translate to dominance in Bellator's cage against a dynamic striker like McKee? Let's delve into the details.

Understanding the Fighters

Khabib Nurmagomedov: The Undefeated Eagle

Khabib Nurmagomedov's record speaks for itself: 29-0. He was more than just undefeated; he was utterly dominant. His wrestling pedigree, honed from a young age in Dagestan, formed the bedrock of his fighting style. He combined suffocating top control with relentless ground and pound, breaking opponents both physically and mentally. His key strengths included:

Unmatched Wrestling: Takedowns were almost guaranteed, and his ability to maintain top position was legendary.
Suffocating Grappling: He wore opponents down with constant pressure and a near-impossible to escape guard.
Ground and Pound: Not just damage, but strategic punishment that sapped energy and will.
Mental Fortitude: Seemingly unflappable under pressure, he rarely deviated from his game plan.

Khabib's weaknesses, if any, were primarily in his striking defense at range. While his striking improved throughout his career, it was never his primary weapon. He relied on closing the distance and initiating grappling exchanges.

AJ McKee: Mr. Bellator

AJ McKee represents a new generation of MMA fighters: well-rounded, athletic, and incredibly confident. He rose through the ranks of Bellator, becoming the Featherweight World Grand Prix champion. McKee is known for his dynamic striking, creative submissions, and his willingness to take risks. His key strengths include:

Elite Striking: Fast hands, diverse combinations, and a knack for landing fight-ending blows.
Dangerous Submissions: A black belt in jiu-jitsu, McKee has a wide array of submission finishes, both on the ground and standing.
Athleticism: Exceptional speed, agility, and explosiveness, giving him an edge in scrambles and transitions.
Aggressive Style: McKee is always looking for the finish, whether it's a knockout or a submission.

McKee's potential weaknesses lie in his wrestling defense and his tendency to sometimes get drawn into brawls, which could leave him vulnerable against a skilled grappler like Khabib.

Style Clash: Grappler vs. Striker

This matchup boils down to a classic grappler vs. striker scenario. Khabib's path to victory would almost certainly involve taking McKee down and controlling him on the ground. He would aim to neutralize McKee's striking and wear him down with his relentless pressure. McKee, on the other hand, would need to keep the fight standing and use his striking to keep Khabib at bay. He would need to utilize footwork, angles, and a strong jab to prevent Khabib from closing the distance.

Bellator vs. UFC: Rule Differences and Cage Dynamics

While the core rules of MMA are generally consistent across major promotions, there are subtle differences between Bellator and the UFC that could potentially impact the fight.

Cage Size: Bellator's cage is typically larger than the UFC's. A larger cage could give McKee more room to move and avoid Khabib's takedowns. However, it could also make it harder for McKee to cut off the cage and land effective strikes if Khabib is constantly circling away.
Referee Stoppages: The perception of referee tendencies in each promotion can differ. Some believe Bellator referees might allow fights to continue longer before stopping them, potentially benefiting Khabib's ground-and-pound style. However, this is subjective and can vary from fight to fight.

These differences, while minor, can contribute to the overall strategy and outcome of a fight. The cage size, in particular, could play a significant role in this hypothetical matchup.

The Takedown Threat: Can McKee Defend?

The key to this fight is whether McKee can defend Khabib's takedowns. Khabib's takedown success rate was exceptionally high, but McKee is a skilled athlete with a decent, albeit untested against Khabib-level wrestling, takedown defense. To succeed, McKee would need to:

Maintain Distance: Use his footwork and striking to keep Khabib at bay.
Effective Jab: A strong jab can disrupt Khabib's forward momentum and make it harder for him to close the distance.
Anticipate Takedowns: Watch for Khabib's setups and sprawl effectively.
Quick Stand-Ups: If taken down, McKee needs to explode back to his feet quickly.

However, defending takedowns against Khabib is an entirely different level of challenge. Khabib's relentless pressure and chain wrestling are unlike anything McKee has faced before. Even if McKee can defend some takedowns, the constant threat could wear him down and open him up to other attacks.

Ground Game: Khabib's Domain

If Khabib gets McKee to the ground, the fight shifts dramatically in his favor. Khabib's top control is suffocating, and his ground and pound is relentless. McKee, despite being a black belt in jiu-jitsu, would be in survival mode. He would need to:

Protect Himself: Prioritize defense and avoid taking unnecessary damage.
Create Space: Look for opportunities to create space and escape Khabib's control.
Submission Attempts: Look for quick submission attempts, but avoid getting caught in a more dominant position.

However, escaping Khabib's top control is notoriously difficult. Many highly skilled grapplers have failed to do so, and McKee would face a monumental challenge in this area.

Striking Exchanges: McKee's Opportunity

The striking exchanges are where McKee has the best chance of winning. He has a significant advantage in terms of speed, power, and variety. If he can keep the fight standing, he could potentially catch Khabib with a knockout blow. To maximize his chances, McKee would need to:

Use His Footwork: Stay mobile and avoid getting cornered.
Land Combinations: Use a variety of punches, kicks, and knees to keep Khabib guessing.
Exploit Openings: Watch for openings and capitalize on them with fight-ending strikes.

However, Khabib's striking defense has improved over the years, and he is adept at closing the distance and initiating grappling exchanges. McKee would need to be precise and avoid getting drawn into a brawl.

Stamina and Cardio: A War of Attrition

Stamina and cardio would be crucial factors in this fight. Khabib's relentless grappling style is incredibly taxing, both physically and mentally. McKee would need to be in peak condition to withstand Khabib's pressure. He would need to:

Conserve Energy: Avoid unnecessary movements and conserve energy for key moments.
Maintain a High Pace: Keep the fight moving and avoid getting bogged down in grappling exchanges.
Mental Toughness: Stay focused and determined, even when facing adversity.

Khabib, known for his incredible cardio, would likely try to wear McKee down with his relentless pressure. The longer the fight goes, the more it would favor Khabib.

Potential Game Plans

Khabib's Game Plan

Khabib's game plan would likely be straightforward: take McKee down early and often, control him on the ground, and wear him down with ground and pound. He would look for opportunities to advance his position and potentially secure a submission. The key elements of his game plan would be:

Aggressive Takedowns: Utilize a variety of takedowns to keep McKee guessing.
Relentless Pressure: Constantly pressure McKee and prevent him from getting comfortable.
Ground and Pound: Punish McKee on the ground and wear him down.
Submission Attempts: Look for opportunities to secure a submission, but prioritize maintaining top control.

McKee's Game Plan

McKee's game plan would be more complex: avoid the takedown at all costs, keep the fight standing, and use his striking to finish Khabib. He would need to be patient, disciplined, and capitalize on any openings. The key elements of his game plan would be:

Footwork and Movement: Stay mobile and avoid getting cornered.
Effective Striking: Use a variety of punches, kicks, and knees to keep Khabib at bay.
Takedown Defense: Prioritize takedown defense and explode back to his feet if taken down.
Capitalize on Openings: Watch for openings and capitalize on them with fight-ending strikes.

Predictions and Potential Outcomes

Predicting the outcome of a hypothetical fight is always difficult, but based on their respective skill sets and fighting styles, here are a few potential scenarios:

Khabib by Ground and Pound TKO: This is the most likely outcome. If Khabib can consistently take McKee down and control him on the ground, he would likely wear him down and eventually secure a TKO finish.
Khabib by Submission: While less likely, Khabib could potentially secure a submission if McKee makes a mistake on the ground.
McKee by Knockout: This is McKee's best path to victory. If he can keep the fight standing and land a clean knockout blow, he could potentially finish Khabib. However, this would be a difficult task, as Khabib is a durable fighter with a solid chin.
McKee by Decision: Extremely unlikely. Even if McKee managed to stay on his feet for the majority of the fight, Khabib's takedown attempts and cage control would likely sway the judges in his favor.

Overall, Khabib would be the clear favorite in this matchup. His wrestling and grappling are simply too dominant, and McKee would face a monumental challenge in trying to keep the fight standing. However, McKee is a dangerous fighter with the potential to surprise, and anything can happen in MMA.

The Legacy Implications

A victory over Khabib would instantly catapult McKee to superstardom and cement his place among the greatest featherweights of all time. It would also be a massive statement for Bellator, proving that their fighters can compete with the best in the world. For Khabib, a win would further solidify his legacy as one of the most dominant champions in MMA history, even if it occurs in a different promotion.

Conclusion: A Dream Fight Worth Imagining

While Khabib Nurmagomedov has remained steadfast in his retirement, the hypothetical matchup against AJ McKee remains a fascinating thought experiment. It showcases the beauty of MMA – the clash of styles, the strategic complexities, and the potential for unexpected outcomes. While the fight may never happen, the discussion allows us to appreciate the unique skills of both fighters and the subtle differences between the world's leading MMA organizations. Ultimately, whether 'The Eagle' would soar in Bellator's cage is a question that remains unanswered, but the possibilities are certainly intriguing.