AJ McKee admits strong emotional shock after defeat to Patrício Pitbull: 'Complete mental breakdown'

P. Pitbull (left) defeated A. McKee (right) in the Bellator 277. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Former Bellator featherweight champion (up to 65,7kg), A. J. McKee was sincere when admitting how difficult it was to deal with the defeat in the rematch against Patrick Pitbull. In an interview with 'MMA Fighting', the American revealed that it took him just over two weeks to resume his training routine and was honest when he said that he went into a 'complete mental breakdown'.

Read more: Patrício Pitbull wins battle against AJ McKee and regains belt at Bellator 277

See too

Islam Makhachev says Leon Edwards 'got lucky' in knockout over Kamaru Usman

Before UFC Paris, Michael Bisping gives his opinion on whether the winner of 'Whittaker x Vettori' will fight for the middleweight belt

STRONG IMAGE: Sean Strickland suffers serious cut on his finger and fight against Jared Cannonier is canceled

“Honestly, I went through a complete mental breakdown. It was a complete mental breakdown. I was checked, I was going through this and I would say it resolved itself in the second week after the fight. That was when I was at rock bottom, but as always, through life's trials and tribulations, I got back into the gym and found the fuel for the 'fire,'” said McKee.

The American revealed that he went through a period of isolation at home and that it took him around two weeks to return to his training routine at the gym.

“It took me about two, three weeks to get back. It took me about two weeks to process everything, but I was always at the gym. I wasn't very social, I'm a very introverted person. I don't really talk much. Physically, I was there; Mentally, I wasn't. I just stayed home because I knew what was coming, so I just wanted to stay home in my safe place until I could gather my thoughts and rebuild myself to be stable,” AJ said.

A 'created' prospect at Bellator, McKee has always been considered a big name for the future of the organization. The peak of his career came in July 2021, when he submitted the greatest champion in featherweight history, Patrick Pitbull, and become the new leader of the division. However, his reign lasted just over eight months. In the rematch, the Brazilian delivered a better performance and emerged victorious in the judges' unanimous decision.

Confident in taking a new direction in his career, McKee decided to move to the lightweight division (up to 70,3kg). In his next fight, the former champion will face veteran Spike Carlyle at Bellator 286. The show is scheduled to take place on October 01st.