Irish mixed martial arts star Rhys McKee has revealed he was an emotional wreck after being told he will make his eagerly-awaited UFC debut in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
McKee, who flies out to the Middle East via London today, will realise a lifetime’s ambition when he fights the talented Khamzat Chimaev on the UFC’s ‘Fight Island’ bill.
It is a huge shop window for the Ballymena man who isn’t fazed by the fact he has been given just six days to prepare for Sunday’s high profile bow in the octagon.
McKee, who has reportedly signed a long term contract with the UFC, looked emotional when told of his sudden elevation by his manager on a video call at the weekend.
“To say I was emotional would probably be understating it,” said the heavy handed 24-year-old who headlined Cage Warrior’s Cork show in November.
“To tell you the truth when I came off the phone with my manager, I sat outside my house for an hour and I was pretty useless for most of that hour.
“To make my UFC debut means everything to me. It’s the pinnacle of the sport and something I’ve worked towards since I first walked into a beginners’ programme eight years ago.
“I’ve experienced a lot in those eight years - the injuries, the losses, the dark nights when you don’t want to train - so I’m super proud to be where I am now.
“All those experiences have led to this moment and to have my card stamped and told ‘you’re ready to go’ is just phenomenal.”
While McKee has been given under a week to prepare for his showdown with the unbeaten Chimaev, he insists it was a ‘no brainer’ to sign on the dotted line.
“Is it ideal to have only six days to prepare? Probably not,” he said. “But when the UFC calls you and asks you to fly to Abu Dhabi to be on the main card, there’s only one answer.
“If that answer isn't ‘yes’ you shouldn’t be in this sport. It may not look like an ideal situation, but for me it’s the perfect situation and a massive opportunity.”
Chimaev, who boasts an unblemished 7-0 record, is preparing for a quickfire return after beating Welshman John Phillips on his own UFC debut last Thursday.
It was a flawless outing from the Chechen-born grappler who drew comparisons with Russian star Khabib Nurmagomedov for his suffocating style.
McKee said: “Chimaev also fought last week, so it is one of the quickest turnarounds the UFC has ever had. I’ll be the underdog, but I don't mind that. I’ll relish it.”
McKee, who has a 10-2-1 MMA record, will undergo a two day quarantine and Covid-19 tests when he arrives in the Middle East prior to making his UFC debut at the weekend.
