A.J. McKee secured a unanimous decision victory over Salamat Isbulaev at PFL San Diego, with all three judges scoring the fight 30-27 in his favor, according to USAToday. The featherweight bout, which lasted the full 15 minutes, saw McKee dominate with grappling and ground-and-pound, though Isbulaev threatened with a cut over McKee’s eye and a bloody left eye of his own. McKee later called for a title shot, stating, “I want the title. That was the point of the return to the 145-pound division,” as reported by MMA Fighting.
The Unanimous Decision and McKee’s Title Ambitions
McKee’s victory extended his winning streak to three fights since returning to 145 pounds, solidifying his position as a top contender in the PFL. The judges’ scores reflected his control throughout the three rounds, though Isbulaev, a previously undefeated prospect, managed to land sharp strikes and threaten McKee with a guillotine choke in the second round. McKee, who previously held the Bellator featherweight title, admitted he “underestimated” Isbulaev, calling him a “beast” in the post-fight interview. Cageside Press noted that McKee’s performance earned him a clear path to a title opportunity, as only Timur Khizriev currently ranks above him in the PFL’s 145-pound division.
The fight’s intensity was highlighted by McKee’s relentless grappling, which included multiple takedowns and submissions attempts. In the third round, McKee nearly finished Isbulaev with a series of elbows from the mount, but time expired before a stoppage. Sherdog described the climax as a “suffocating grappling game” that left Isbulaev visibly exhausted. McKee’s ability to adapt to Isbulaev’s aggressive style—particularly his spinning backfists and body kicks—demonstrated his experience as a “mercenary” fighter, a term he used to describe his approach. “You call a mercenary when you need something done,” McKee said, per MMA Fighting.
Other Notable Bouts and Implications
The PFL San Diego card featured several other high-profile matchups that added to the event’s significance. Liz Carmouche, a former Bellator and UFC champion, secured a second-round guillotine choke victory over Viviane Araujo, further cementing her case for a title shot. Cageside Press noted that Carmouche, 42, called for a bantamweight title opportunity, a division that currently lacks official PFL recognition. Her win placed her just one step away from a potential title fight against top-ranked Dakota Ditcheva, who has been sidelined by injury.
On the men’s side, Impa Kasanganay, a rising middleweight, predicted a knockout of Johnny Eblen in their upcoming PFL interim title bout, as reported by USAToday. Meanwhile, other results included Alexander Shabliy’s unanimous decision over Alfie Davis and Khasan Magomedsharipov’s first-round submission of Joshua Weems. These outcomes underscored the competitive nature of the PFL’s 2026 season, with multiple fighters vying for championship contention.
Contradictions and Unique Angles
While all sources agreed on McKee’s victory and the judges’ scores, there were minor discrepancies in the fight’s narrative. Sherdog emphasized Isbulaev’s resilience, noting that he “never fully lost the fight,” whereas MMA Fighting highlighted McKee’s dominance in grappling exchanges. The differing perspectives reflect the subjective nature of combat sports scoring, though both outlets acknowledged McKee’s technical superiority.
Another unique angle came from Cageside Press, which detailed Carmouche’s strategic approach in her fight against Araujo.
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