A.J. McKee earned $100,000 for his unanimous-decision loss to Salamat Isbulaev in the PFL San Diego main event on June 27, 2026, while his opponent took home just $10,000 for showing up—highlighting the pay disparity in the promotion’s featherweight division. The fight capped a night where top earners like McKee and Liz Carmouche ($100,000 total) dwarfed even victorious undercards, with some fighters making as little as $3,000 for their efforts.
Why McKee’s $100,000 Loss Exposes PFL’s Pay Structure
The $100,000 guarantee for McKee—no win bonus attached—underscores how PFL compensates its stars regardless of outcome, a model that contrasts sharply with UFC’s performance-based bonuses. According to MMA Fighting’s breakdown, Isbulaev, the undefeated prospect, earned just $10,000 to show up—a figure that would have doubled had he won. Meanwhile, Carmouche, who submitted Viviane Araujo in the co-main, split $100,000 ($50,000 to show, $50,000 for the win), mirroring McKee’s total despite her fight ending in 1:53 of Round 2.
The disparity extends down the card: Alexander Shabliy and Rob Wilkinson, both winners, earned $50,000 and $40,000 respectively, while losers like Viviane Araujo ($20,000) and Abraham Bably ($10,000) saw their paychecks halved. Shannon Clark, a 7-1 fighter, made just $6,000 for her victory—a figure that MMA Fighting’s salary list confirms was the lowest on the card.
McKee’s Retirement Clock: “I’ve Got Another Four Years”
McKee’s fight wasn’t just about the purse—it was the last major chapter of his career. In an interview with MMA Fighting, he revealed a self-imposed deadline: “I’ve kind of put a time stamp on my career. I’ve got another four years. I don’t want to be that guy that’s fighting at 40 years old because he needs to.”
“I’ve got another four years. I don’t want to be that guy that’s fighting at 40 years old because he needs to. Maybe if I wanted to, but I think at 35 I’m done.”
—A.J. McKee, via <a href="https://www.mmafighting.
The 31-year-old, who returned to featherweight after a lightweight detour, framed his exit as deliberate: “I came in on top and I want to leave on top. The best way to do that is put a time cap and finish it to the best of my ability.” His post-fight plans? Racing—“I kind of want to do something along the lines of racing, whether it’s a motorcycle, Indy car, Baja”—and a recent go-kart debut where he admitted, “I only spun out a few times. Did pretty good, though [laughs].”
The Fight That Proved McKee’s Still the Featherweight King
Isbulaev’s undefeated record (10-0) made him the favorite, but McKee’s dominance in the fight told a different story. Over three rounds, McKee outstruck his opponent 30-27, landed a submission attempt in Round 2, and finished with a dominant 10-9 scorecard in all three judges’ scorecards. The play-by-play from MMA Junkie captured McKee’s relentless pressure: “Full mount! He’s unloading vicious elbows! He wants the finish, but the horn sounds!”
McKee’s decision to return to 145 pounds wasn’t just nostalgia—it was a statement. “The reason why I went back to featherweight is because I missed being a champion,” he told MMA Fighting. His only featherweight loss came in a 2022 rematch against Patricio Pitbull, a fight he’s since framed as an outlier. At lightweight, he admitted, “I fell a little short,” but his skillset, he insists, “supersedes what people perceive.”
For more on this story, see McKee Wins by Unanimous Decision at PFL San Diego.
What’s Next for PFL’s Featherweight Division
McKee’s victory—even in a loss—reaffirms his status as the division’s top draw, but the fight also exposed PFL’s pay structure flaws. While McKee’s $100,000 guarantee is elite, the $10,000 Isbulaev earned for losing raises questions about how the promotion values prospects. Carmouche’s $100,000 total for a 1:53 win suggests PFL rewards submission finishes more than decision victories, a policy that could deter fighters from grinding out split decisions.
The bigger question: Who fills the void when McKee retires? Isbulaev’s performance—bloody, aggressive, but ultimately outmatched—suggests he’s not yet ready for the top spot. Meanwhile, fighters like Liz Carmouche and Alexander Shabliy are proving themselves, but none have the star power to command McKee’s level of guarantee. PFL’s featherweight division may soon face a talent drought unless it invests in developing the next generation of champions.
The Full PFL San Diego Pay Scale: Who Made What?
| Fighter | Show Money | Win Bonus | Total (Result) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A.J. McKee | $100,000 | $0 | $100,000 (Loss) |
| Salamat Isbulaev | $10,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 (Loss) |
| Liz Carmouche | $50,000 | $50,000 | $100,000 (Win) |
| Viviane Araujo | $20,000 | $20,000 | $20,000 (Loss) |
| Alexander Shabliy | $25,000 | $25,000 | $50,000 (Win) |
| Rob Wilkinson | $20,000 | $20,000 | $40,000 (Win) |
| Shannon Clark | $3,000 | $3,000 | $6,000 (Win) |
Source: <a href="https://www.mmafighting.
What McKee’s Exit Means for PFL’s Future
McKee’s retirement timeline—“another four years”—puts his final fight around 2030, but his influence won’t disappear overnight. His decision to cap his career at 35, as he told MMA Fighting, reflects a broader trend in combat sports: fighters prioritizing legacy over longevity. The message to younger athletes? “I want to go follow other dreams, other passions.”
For PFL, McKee’s departure leaves a hole in its featherweight division. While Isbulaev’s rise is promising, he’ll need more wins—and bigger purses—to match McKee’s star power. The promotion’s ability to retain top talent will hinge on whether it can offer competitive guarantees to keep fighters like Carmouche and Shabliy engaged. If PFL fails to adapt, the next generation of champions may follow McKee’s lead—and walk away.
One thing is certain: McKee’s final chapter won’t be in the cage. With racing on his horizon, he’s trading gloves for a steering wheel—proof that even in MMA, the greatest legends don’t always stay in their lane.
<!– /wp:paragraph A.J. McKee's statement marks a rare moment of introspection for a prominent mixed martial artist, as the 35-year-old fighter nears the end of his illustrious career.Find more reporting in our Sport news section.
