Former featherweight champion A.J. McKee has been forced to withdraw from the upcoming Bellator v. RIZIN 2 due to a severe staph infection in his left knee.
A.J. McKee is presently dealing with a severe staph infection. This week, the former featherweight champion and winner of the featherweight grand prix was reported to have withdrawn from the imminent Bellator v. RIZIN 2 due to an injury. McKee offered more detail on Thursday, using his social media accounts to disclose that his left knee is host to a staph infection. He explained that he had to seek urgent medical care, sharing unsettling images of the infection’s progression.
McKee took to his twitter to reassure his fans and offer more insight about his situation. He tweeted about having to take a few weeks off training for his recovery, but he assured his fans that he’ll be back to the grind after that. He made a video apology to his Japanese fans for not being able to participate in the weekend fight, promising them that he’ll be back in Japan. He named his infection as a staph, which is known to be severely harmful, flesh-eating, and capable of warranting hospitalization.
He further explained in his video that his staph infection required him to receive emergency medical treatment and detailed his treatment process. He revealed that he was put on antibiotics for the infection, which is healing well. Although he displayed his infection to show what he is dealing with, he assured his fans that he’d heal and come back stronger. McKee was scheduled to fight against Patricky Pitbull in the main event of Bellator v. RIZIN 2 this Saturday, serving as one of the quarterfinal bouts for the Bellator lightweight grand prix.
Sadly, his current health condition has compelled him to pull out from the grand prix. The Bellator CEO, Scott Coker, previously suggested that McKee could serve as a first alternate, a role he would undertake if there is an inability for any participant in the tournament to continue. With McKee’s withdrawal, he has been replaced by Roberto de Souza, who will be Pitbull’s new opponent in a 161-pound catchweight bout this weekend.