Mckee on the brink of realising UFC dream after landing Fight Island call

BALLYMENA mixed martial artist Rhys Mckee will make his UFC bow next Sunday when he clashes with Khamzat Chimaev.

The 24-year-old will jet to ‘Fight Island’ in Abu Dhabi, where the UFC is hosting its events behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mckee signed a deal to join the world’s leading MMA promotion and accepted the fight on only one week’s notice having received a call from the UFC on Saturday evening.

His welterweight contest will take place on the undercard of the headline bout between Darren Till and Robert Whittaker.

The contest is subject to McKee passing a series of Covid-19 tests throughout the week, while Chimaev is already in position in Abu Dhabi having defeated Welshman John Phillips last

Big talk: Rhys Mckee wants to go all the way to the top

Wednesday. Such was the manner of victory, both Chimaev and the UFC were eager to get back into action right away.

Speaking about his potential move to the UFC in April, MCKee said: “I know for a fact I will fight in the UFC and that belief hasn’t wavered because of the current situation we find ourselves in with the coronavirus.

“I thought it would be this year, but I’m patient. My aim is still to become a household name, the best athlete Northern Ireland or Ireland has had and create a lasting legacy.

“Do I want to make the same journey as Conor Mcgregor? Absolutely. Mcgregor fought on the same shows I’ve fought on and he had the same high knockout rate as me.”

With an MMA record of 10-21, Mckee was set to fight for the Cage Warriors welterweight title in Belfast before the event was cancelled by the pandemic.

Cage Warriors announced on Friday they were returning to action in September with the Northern Irishman set to feature, however it now appears they will have to plan without Mckee.

The UFC announced next weekend’s fight on Saturday’s UFC Fight Night broadcast where Donegal man Joe Duffy lost by first round submission to Spaniard Joel Alvarez and subsequently announced his retirement from the sport.