Bellator MMA World Grand Prix FeatherWeight fighter, AJ “Mercenary” McKEE recently spoke exclusively with Reel Urban News about having a millionaire mindset while still focused on Bellator MMA 253.
“It’s been a long time coming just to accomplish many dreams at once. I wrote myself a million dollar check when I was a kid so to be able to go and cash that and bring a belt home at the same time is adding to the accolades – “It’s one step closer to the things I want to achieve in life – and I’m looking forward to it.”
When asked about what it’s like fighting for a million dollars, “Mercenary” was humble but direct. “It’s been a long journey, 16 fights and I have two more – I got to go out there and do what I do best – put on a show.”
Our brief conversation with the undefeated mix martial arts fighter took place high in the mountains of Big Bear California moments following an intense morning workout.
“Big Bear is rough you know and this altitude will get to you when you first get up here. I think that’s the hardest part of the first week, two weeks getting acclimated – but once your body gets acclimated and you get past that mental push it’s all go from there.”
With a record of 16-0 “Mercenary” understands the gravity of tonight’s fight. “Most of it is mental and the hard part for me is the weight cut,” McKee explained. “Once I make weight it’s time for me to go into that cage and have some fun – I call the cage my play pen – it’s time to go in there and play around.”
Once in the cage McKee will be doing a lot of things, playing around is not one of them. The son of the Bellator MMA fighter and coach, Antonio McKee “Mercenary” has been training for tonight’s Grand Prix battle against “The Wolf” Darrion Caldwell for a very long time. The Wolf is 15-3. “Caldwell is a national champ and great wrestler, said McKee. “I walked away from wrestling – I knew what my calling was in life – this is mixed martial arts – you can’t go in there expecting to wrestle you have to have the mix of all martial arts and that’s what I’ve perfected, mixing all of the arts of my craft.”
Tonight’s Bellator 253 will air on the CBS Sports Network.
