AJ McKee (24-2, #2 PFL lightweight) will face Salamat Isbulaev (10-0, #6 PFL lightweight) on June 27 in San Diego. The matchup continues PFL's pattern of giving Isbulaev high-level competition without a warm-up period. In his PFL debut, Isbulaev knocked out Jesus Pinedo, the #3 ranked fighter, in the first round but was only ranked #6 afterwards. Now he faces former Bellator champion McKee, one of PFL's strongest fighters overall. The post questions PFL's matchmaking strategy and ranking system for the undefeated Dagestani fighter.
PFL has booked AJ McKee against Salamat Isbulaev for June 27 in San Diego, pitting the promotion's second-ranked lightweight against one of the division's most intriguing undefeated prospects.
McKee, known as "Mercenary," carries an 8-0-0 record inside the PFL and holds the number-two ranking at lightweight. The 178-centimeter American is a multi-dimensional threat, averaging 11.01 takedowns and 11 submission attempts per 15 minutes — numbers that reflect just how complete a grappler he is. He is also a former Bellator lightweight champion, which underlines the level of opposition Isbulaev is being handed in only his second promotional appearance.
Isbulaev, a 29-year-old Kazakhstani standing five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach, arrived in the PFL and immediately made a statement. In his debut he knocked out Jesus Pinedo in the first round. Pinedo, a 28-year-old Peruvian who carries a 25-6-1 record and was ranked third in the division at the time, was considered a significant hurdle for any newcomer. Isbulaev cleared it emphatically. He enters this fight 9-0-0 and ranked sixth at lightweight, a placement that has drawn scrutiny given the caliber of opponent he has already defeated.
Why it matters
- McKee is widely regarded as one of PFL's most dangerous lightweights overall, making this a steep challenge for any fighter at any experience level in the promotion.
- Isbulaev's first-round finish of a top-three ranked opponent in his debut raises legitimate questions about whether the number-six ranking reflects his actual standing in the division.
- PFL's matchmaking approach — placing Isbulaev straight into another elite contest without a developmental fight — will accelerate clarity on where he truly belongs in the lightweight hierarchy.
- A win for Isbulaev would almost certainly force a rankings overhaul and position him as a title contender; a McKee victory would reinforce his case as the division's premier fighter outside the championship picture.
