A.J. McKee will meet John “Macapa” Teixeira at Bellator 205 on September 21, 2018 (Photo Credit: Bellator)

A.J. McKee (11-0) stepped foot in the Bellator cage for the first time at age 20 at Bellator 136 in 2015. Three years later, and he’s amassed an 11 fight win streak including seven finishes. His road to the featherweight title was set to include a fight against former champ Pat Curran (23-7), but injury forced Curran out of next week’s main event and in his place steps John Macapa (21-3-2).

Macapa has lost his last two fights to former title holders and challengers Curran and Daniel Weichel (39-10), but before those losses was riding a 9-0-1 streak including four finishes. The Brazilian trains out of the famed Nova União academy, famous for producing such fighters as: José Aldo, Renan Barão, and Eduardo Dantas.

Speaking with Fight Night Picks’ Craig Allen on Monday, McKee noted that on Sept. 21 he’s looking to stick to the game plan and put on a show in his second Bellator headliner.

“Just go in there and do what I do best and that’s put on a show,” said McKee. “I don’t really focus on what he’s gonna do, but I try to focus on what I need to do ’cause I feel like if you’re focusing on what they’re doing you’re already two steps behind.”

McKee’s head coach at Team Bodyshop MMA is also his father, UFC vet Antonio McKee (29-6-2). When asked what the dynamic is like having such a close family member along every step of the way, McKee said that.

“It’s different, it’s definitely different. It’s weird, he’s not just my dad you know? He’s not just my friend, once we walk in that gym he’s nothing but a coach. And it kinda sucks for me just because he knows when I’m slacking, he knows when I’m acting like I’m tired versus if I’m actually tired.”

A.J. McKee throws a kick at Bellator 147 against J.T. Donaldson (Via: A.J. McKee Twitter)

The team at Bodyshop MMA is so talented, that training partners weren’t needed to be brought in for McKee’s camp.

“We’ve got everything we need in our gym son,” said a confident McKee. “4-time national champion, 133-0 Joey Davis, to Aaron Pico, Golden Gloves boxing champion, to olympic team wrestlers, to Walel Watson, to heavy hitting baby Kimbo Slice. We’ve got a gym just full of different styles and looks.”

Sporting an undefeated record with a title fight in his sights, McKee is eager to see what happens between champ Patricio “Pitbull” Friere (26-4) and challenger Emmanuel Sanchez (17-3).

“I know they’ve got that show in Israel, they’re putting that belt up for grabs against someone who pulled out against me,” said a disappointed McKee. “It is what it is, I feel like the guys know in the division (that) once that belt touches my waist it’s not going anywhere. All these guys can do all the talking they want, they can do all the runnin’ they want but hey, it’s gonna catch up to them sooner or later you know. You’ve got to turn and fight.”