AJ McKee has disclosed that he suffered a dislocated ankle during fight camp ahead of Super Rizin 5. The injury revelation raises questions about his condition heading into the event.
AJ McKee has revealed he was dealing with a dislocated ankle during his fight camp leading into Super Rizin 5, casting a shadow over his preparation for the event.
McKee, known as "Mercenary," enters the contest carrying a perfect 8-0-0 professional record. The American stands five-foot-ten and has built a reputation as one of the more well-rounded prospects in his division, posting an impressive 11.01 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 11 submission attempts per 15 minutes — numbers that reflect a grappling-heavy style capable of finishing fights in multiple ways. He also averages 2.75 significant strikes landed per minute, adding a credible stand-up dimension to his game.
The disclosure of the ankle injury is notable given how central movement and explosive footwork are to a complete mixed martial arts game. A dislocated ankle sustained during camp could affect lateral mobility, takedown entries, and ground transitions — all areas that feed directly into McKee's most productive offensive outputs.
Why it matters
- McKee's grappling-first style demands full physical health, making a lower-body injury particularly relevant to his game plan
- His unblemished record gives him significant ranking capital, and any in-fight limitations could put that streak at risk
- The timing of the disclosure — revealed after the fact rather than before the event — leaves open questions about how much the injury may have affected his performance at Super Rizin 5
McKee did not specify the severity of the dislocation or whether it required medical intervention beyond the camp itself, leaving the full extent of the setback unclear.
