The ‘Mercenary’ joins the podcast! Monster Energy is proud to welcome 27-year-old mixed martial artist and former Bellator MMA Featherweight World Champion A.J. McKee from Long Beach, California, on Episode 5 of Season 3 of the sports and pop culture podcast UNLEASHED with The Dingo and Danny.
Recorded at Studio M inside Monster Energy headquarters in Corona, California, the episode was initially broadcast live on the Twitch platform on February 23, 2023. As of today, fans can tune in to the official recording of this latest episode to hear the story of the MMA phenomenon who rode a record-setting win streak to win the 145-pound world championship and now is gunning for the 155-pound title.
“Fighting chose me… I didn’t choose it!” said McKee on UNLEASHED. “I started wrestling at four or five, started doing jiu-jitsu at nine. So, my entire life I was just in the gym.”
For the full conversation with MMA legend McKee, fans can now tune in to Episode 05, Season 03 of UNLEASHED. Released today, the new podcast is streaming on all major platforms, including Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube.
Hailing from Long Beach, California, Antonio De Carlo McKee Jr. took the world of professional MMA by storm. After making his debut on the Bellator promotion in 2015, the master of a diverse range of fighting styles etched his name into history by riding a record victory of 18 wins (an unprecedented 13 wins by stoppage!) into a shot at the Bellator MMA Featherweight World Championship title. And take the shot, he did! Defeating Patricio “Pitbull” Freire earned McKee the 145-pound belt and a $1 million payout. Far from finished, McKee just moved up one weight class to the Lightweight division and wants to make a run for his second career title. Hear all about McKee’s unique training regimen and mental fortitude – only on UNLEASHED!
Hear the inside story in conversation with the two podcast hosts, Australian action sports personality Luke “The Dingo” Trembath and professional snowboarder Danny Kass. Also joining the interview is acclaimed painter, model, and UFC ambassador Brittney Palmer. Tune in right here.
On paper, McKee was all but destined to become an MMA fighter. That’s because his father, MMA icon Antonio McKee, operates a fight school and has mentored certified legends like Rampage Jackson and Chuck Liddell. But as A.J. McKee reveals on UNLEASHED: “My father didn’t want me to fight as a kid. But then he watched my first fight when I was eighteen years old. I suplex’d the guy!”
After that, McKee’s father changed his tune and started coaching his son, also sharing his experience on the industry side of fighting. “My dad has been in the fight game and has seen it all. Him knowing the business side has made it easier. Because he’s been through it all,” said McKee who often spars with his father. “He’s put me to sleep a few times. He’s actually the last person to put me to sleep!”
An avid student of martial arts, McKee cultivated his own fighting style, combining elements of jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, karate, wrestling, and karate into a versatile and lethal blend. The sheer level of his talent became apparent once McKee joined the Bellator MMA promotion in 2015 as a professional. Within a short time, the rookie’s aggressive and unpredictable style earned three consecutive first-round finishes, earning him a reputation for ending fights quickly. “A clean knockout! It’s what the fans want. And it feels good,” said McKee.
From there, McKee proceeded to leave his mark on Bellator MMA with an unprecedented record: 18 consecutive wins, 13 earned by TKO or submission. “You need stats!” said McKee on UNLEASHED. “Out of my thirteen finishes, ten are in the first round!”
McKee’s most meaningful first-round finish earned him the Bellator Featherweight World Championship title at Bellator 263. In front of a hometown crowd at The Forum in Los Angeles, he submitted defending 145-pound champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire via guillotine choke to win the Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix and $1 million grand prize.
Since then, McKee lost the title in a rematch against Freire but now has his eyes on becoming the champion of the Bellator MMA Lightweight division. “I won eighteen fights at 145 pounds, so there’s nothing left to conquer,” said McKee, who is competing in the $1 million Lightweight Grand Prix this year.
Asked about his plans for the future, McKee said: “I want to enjoy it while it lasts and keep pushing this thing until the wheels fall off!”
Don’t miss this classic interview that’s a must-listen for every MMA fan! Visit the landing page to access Episode 05, Season 03 of the UNLEASHED with The Dingo and Danny Podcast featuring former Bellator MMA Featherweight World Champion A.J. McKee.
Episodes of UNLEASHED are filmed on a special set inside Studio M at Monster Energy headquarters in Corona, California. The podcast is hosted by the dynamic duo of Australian action sports personality Luke “The Dingo” Trembath and professional snowboarder Danny Kass. Known for their deep roots in action sports culture, the two starred in the beloved cult TV show ‘The Adventures of Danny and The Dingo’ on Fuel TV for five action-packed seasons in the early 2010s. Both hosts have walked the walk as pro snowboarders and possess the interview skills to find common ground with guests from any type of background – sports and pop culture. Always look out for new episodes dropping bi-weekly on Mondays.
The UNLEASHED with The Dingo and Danny Podcast is here to celebrate the personalities behind the Monster Energy lifestyle. With each episode dedicated to a unique guest or topic, listeners learn about living on the edge and advancing the state of the art in the world of high-energy sports as well as music, games, and pop culture from individuals at the top of their game. More than a drink, Monster Energy is a way of life lived by athletes, sports, bands, believers, and fans – and the podcast is an extension of this unique DNA.
For more on Monster Energy and the UNLEASHED Podcast, visit www.monsterenergy.com. Also, follow Monster Energy on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok for exclusive content and athlete features.
