AJ McKee (24-2, ranked #2 lightweight) will face Salamat Isbulaev (10-0, ranked #6 lightweight) on June 27 in San Diego. Isbulaev made his PFL debut against third-ranked Jesus Pinedo, finishing him in the first round but only moving to sixth in the rankings. Now he faces former Bellator champion McKee, one of PFL's strongest fighters overall, with an impressive resume of victories. The author questions PFL's matchmaking approach, noting Isbulaev is being given top competition without easier fights to build momentum, and expressing confusion about why he remains ranked sixth despite his knockout win over the third-ranked fighter. This represents a significant step up in competition for the undefeated Isbulaev.
PFL has booked a lightweight matchup between AJ McKee and Salamat Isbulaev for June 27 in San Diego, placing an undefeated newcomer opposite one of the promotion's most accomplished fighters.
McKee, known as "Mercenary," enters the bout riding an 8-0-0 run inside PFL and carries the credibility of a former Bellator lightweight champion. Standing five-foot-ten and averaging 11.01 takedowns and 11 submission attempts per 15 minutes, he is a constant grappling threat who keeps opponents working across all phases. His 32 percent striking accuracy reflects a fighter who stays busy and mixes his offense relentlessly. Ranked second in the lightweight division, McKee represents a genuine proving ground for anyone climbing the ladder.
Isbulaev arrives unbeaten at 9-0-0, representing Kazakhstan at 29 years old. He stands five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach and made an immediate statement in his PFL debut by finishing third-ranked Jesus Pinedo in the first round. Despite that result, the Kazakhstani finds himself slotted sixth in the divisional rankings, a curious placement given that the man he stopped, Pinedo, held a position three spots higher. Pinedo himself carries a record of 25-6-1 and brings a striking accuracy of over 62 percent, making the finish all the more notable.
Why it matters
- Isbulaev is being tested at elite level before accumulating a string of lower-stakes PFL wins, compressing his development timeline significantly
- A win over the second-ranked McKee would give Isbulaev an undeniable case to jump toward the top of the lightweight standings
- The stylistic contrast is sharp — McKee's grappling volume against an opponent whose PFL résumé consists of a single, decisive first-round finish
- PFL's ranking logic faces scrutiny after Isbulaev's win over the third-ranked contender failed to move him above sixth place
