Ballymena’s Rhys McKee is set to take on former world title contender Ernesto Rodriguez at PFL Dubai on February 14. The 31-year-old returned to winning form during his PFL debut in Belfast last April, where he scored a knockdown and ultimately earned a points victory over Alex Lohore, improving his record to 15 wins, seven losses, and one draw.
McKee transitioned to the PFL after a second run with the UFC, where he competed against some of the world’s top welterweights, and he also holds titles from BAMMA and Cage Warriors. “I’m excited to fight in Dubai,” McKee said. “I’ve seen how massive the event is going to be, and I know it will be a special night. Facing a tough opponent like Ernesto, who fought for the title in his last bout, means there’s everything to play for. This win could put me straight into the rankings, and now my focus is on chasing the championship belt.”
Cuban-American Rodriguez, with a record of 11-2, is eager to rebound after losing to PFL Tournament champion Sad Jean in a world welterweight title match at PFL Washington DC last July. Prior to that, he secured an impressive win over Japanese veteran Masayuki Kikuiri in Pittsburgh. The 29-year-old Las Vegas-based fighter took the title fight against Jean on just 36 hours’ notice, appearing dominant early but ultimately falling to Jean’s pressure in the third round.
Fan Take: This matchup is crucial for both fighters as it could dramatically reshuffle the welterweight rankings in the PFL, offering a pathway directly to title contention. For fans, it’s an exciting clash that highlights the growing depth and competitiveness of the PFL, signaling its rising prominence in the world of MMA.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
