PFL vs. Bellator: Champions video: A.J. McKee taps Clay Collard with triangle armbar in 70 seconds

matthew wells

Sat, Feb 24, 2024, 3:29 p.m.·9 min read

A.J. McKee racked up a win for the Bellator side in just over a minute to kick off the main card of PFL vs. Bellator: Champions.

The lightweight bout took place on the main card at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and ended rapidly thanks to a beautiful submission chain from McKee (22-1), who wrapped up Clay Collard early. At 1:10 of Round 1, Collard (24-12) was forced to tap from a triangle armbar.

When the action started, it didn’t take long for McKee to jump on a guillotine attempt. The initial submission appeared very deep, but somehow Collard worked his way free.

However, the threat wasn’t over there, as McKee smoothly transitioned into a triangle attempt. The submission chain continued when McKee added an armbar to the mix, and that would be the hold that forced the tap, as the look of frustration was all over Collard’s face.

Check out video of the finish below (via X):

AJ MCKEE GETS IT DONE QUICKLY OVER COLLARD!#PFLvsBellator LIVE NOW
🇺🇸 https://t.co/cJUXOuQ94d
🌏https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/8D83IE9HcB
— PFL (@PFLMMA) February 24, 2024

PFL: ❌
Bellator: ✅
5 More bouts to go#PFLvsBellator LIVE NOW
🇺🇸 https://t.co/cJUXOuQ94d
🌏https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/pZbCE2Unb2
— PFL (@PFLMMA) February 24, 2024

The result marked four consecutive wins for McKee, who entered on the heels of wins over Spike Carlyle, Roberto de Souza, and Sidney Outlaw.

Up-to-the-minute results of PFL vs. Bellator: Champions include:

A.J. McKee def. Clay Collard via submission (triangle armbar) – Round 1, 1:10
Aaron Pico def. Henry Corrales via TKO (elbows) – Round 1, 4:53
Biaggio Ali Walsh def. Emmanuel Palacio via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Claressa Shields def. Kelsey DeSantis via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Abdullah Al-Qahtani def. Edukondala Rao via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 0:23
Malik Basahel def. Vinicius Pereira via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL vs. Bellator: Champions.

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RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 24: Vinicius Pereira steps into the cage during the 2024 PFL…

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 24: Vinicius Pereira steps into the cage during the 2024 PFL vs Bellator: Champs event at Kingdom Arena on February 24, 2024 in Riyadh. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Vinicius Pereira

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RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 24: Malik Basahel steps into the cage during the 2024 PFL…

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 24: Malik Basahel steps into the cage during the 2024 PFL vs Bellator: Champs event at Kingdom Arena on February 24, 2024 in Riyadh. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Malik Basahel

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RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 24: Malik Basahel throws a kick against Vinicius Pereira during the…

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RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 24: Malik Basahel throws a punch against Vinicius Pereira during the…

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 24: Malik Basahel throws a punch against Vinicius Pereira during the 2024 PFL vs Bellator: Champs event at Kingdom Arena on February 24, 2024 in Riyadh. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Malik Basahel

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Malik Basahel def. Vinicius Pereira at PFL vs. Bellator: Champions

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 24: Vinicius Pereira attacks from the ground against Malik Basahel during…

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Malik Basahel def. Vinicius Pereira at PFL vs. Bellator: Champions

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 24: Vinicius Pereira attacks from the ground against Malik Basahel during…

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Malik Basahel def. Vinicius Pereira at PFL vs. Bellator: Champions

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 24: Vinicius Pereira taks a punch from Malik Basahel during the…

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Malik Basahel def. Vinicius Pereira at PFL vs. Bellator: Champions

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 24: Malik Basahel throws a punch during the 2024 PFL vs…

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 24: Malik Basahel throws a punch during the 2024 PFL vs Bellator: Champs event at Kingdom Arena on February 24, 2024 in Riyadh. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Malik Basahel

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Malik Basahel def. Vinicius Pereira at PFL vs. Bellator: Champions

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 24: Malik Basahel wins a fight against Vinicius Pereira during the…

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 24: Malik Basahel wins a fight against Vinicius Pereira during the 2024 PFL vs Bellator: Champs event at Kingdom Arena on February 24, 2024 in Riyadh. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Malik Basahel

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