Preview: 2025 PFL Africa 1

Featherweights

A.J. McKee (22-2, 1-1 PFL) vs. Akhmed Magomedov (10-1, 1-0 PFL)

McKee’s career is at a crossroads. The 30-year-old "Mercenary" is one of the most talented fighters on the PFL roster, but his career lacks direction. Fans might remember when McKee was heralded as one of the greatest Bellator fighters of all time when he dispatched Patricio Freire in the first round to win the Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix. Since that historic win, however, McKee’s stock has declined steadily, albeit slowly. Whether it was sitting out nearly a year before losing to Freire in the rematch, a trio of underwhelming performances after moving up to lightweight, or his split decision loss to Paul Hughes last October, the excuses as to why McKee hasn’t elevated into one of the faces of the sport are numerous, but unfair. McKee constantly delivers beautiful violence, and he’s one of the most well-rounded fighters in the sport. McKee is blessed with speed, long limbs, and a devastating submission game, yet lacks the raw power of an elite lightweight. That was evident against Hughes. While McKee proved to be a tricky and skilled threat against the Irish star, Hughes routinely landed the harder, more effective shots and nearly finished McKee multiple times throughout the bout. That likely was the reason why McKee has opted to return to featherweight for the first time in three years. If McKee can handle his old weight cut properly, fans could see him return to his old form. At lightweight, McKee was a talented submission threat who could outstrike bigger punchers, but at featherweight, he was a destructive force that could put guys to sleep with a single shot.

If McKee wants to grapple, he’ll find a willing partner in Magomedov. The Dagestani prospect has six submissions on his ledger and recently snapped Nathan Kelly’s 11-fight win streak with a rear-naked choke in the second round. Magomedov showed holes in his striking game throughout the fight, though. Kelly forced him to switch stances after landing several calf kicks and even cut Magomedov with a sneaky elbow. Magommedov proved his mettle by taking the fight to the ground and overwhelming his foe with consistent pressure. In the second round, he ragdolled an exhausted Kelly and grapevined his legs with ease. It was the textbook Dagestani game plan, and he executed it flawlessly to pick up his first win in the PFL SmartCage. While Magomedov is a talented grappler, he lacks the arsenal to keep up with McKee. There isn’t a place where McKee can’t find an advantage in this fight. His striking is complex and diverse enough to keep Magomedov guessing and off balance. He’ll punish the legs and force the fight to go where he wants. Magomedov is too one-dimensional to keep McKee pinned the entire fight, and even if he does get him on the ground, McKee is just as calm as he is dangerous on the ground. McKee could use a highlight-reel finish to raise his stock, but Magomedov is gritty enough to hang around and drop a decision on the scorecards.



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Eblen vs. Van Steenis
Ditcheva vs. Inaba
McKee vs. Magomedov
Zaynukov vs. Izumi
Anderson vs. Goltsov
The Prelims