A.J. McKee sets retirement timeline at 35 unless money talks

Former Bellator featherweight champion A.J. McKee plans to hang up his gloves in four years when he turns 35, though he left the door open for financial persuasion.

McKee, who faces undefeated Salamat Isbulaev in the main event of PFL San Diego on Saturday, told MMA Fighting he has put a time limit on his fighting career. "I've got another four years," he said. "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. I want to go follow other dreams, other passions. I mean, if I'm making some abnormal amount of money, obviously… Money talks."

McKee's plan for life after fighting involves racing

The 31-year-old recently re-signed with PFL and returned to featherweight after a brief lightweight stint that ended with a split decision loss to Paul Hughes. McKee stopped Akhmed Magomedov last July and outpointed Adam Borics in March, though neither bout awarded him the PFL featherweight strap he chases. He went 21-1 in Bellator before the promotion merged with PFL and now sits 3-1 under the new banner.

Once he walks away from the cage, McKee wants to stay in motion. He mentioned racing motorcycles, Indy cars, or Baja vehicles as potential next chapters, noting he has already tested a 100cc shifter kart and owns several drag cars. "I gotta go fast. I gotta have adrenaline in my life," he said.

Against Isbulaev, a 29-year-old Russian who is 10-0 as a pro with 29 wins in 32 amateur contests, McKee plans to exploit cardio gaps. He studied tape and believes his opponent tires after the early rounds, having rarely gone the distance in longer pro fights. McKee said the experience advantage will show once he drags Isbulaev into deep water and drowns him.

McKee hopes PFL awards the featherweight title soon, though the promotion has not announced plans for the division. He faces Isbulaev on Saturday in San Diego with no belt on the line but a clear message for the 145-pound roster.

Original reporting:

• mmafighting.com — A.J. McKee has retirement timeline set unless ‘I’m making some abnormal amount of money’ | MMA Fighting