Rhys McKee calls Most Valuable Promotions and PFL merger exciting

The Ballymena fighter faces former world title challenger Ernesto Rodriguez at PFL Dubai on Saturday, 14 November, and says the right kind of win would put him in or one fight away from a title shot.

By Combat Sports UK Staff · Published Thu 12 Nov, 12:10 UK · AI-assisted reporting

Ballymena's Rhys McKee has welcomed the Professional Fighters League's move under Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), saying the new partnership is exciting for everyone involved even though its direction is not yet clear.

McKee, 31, is speaking before Saturday's PFL Dubai card on 14 November. There he meets Cuban-American Ernesto Rodriguez, a ranked opponent he sees as his route towards a world title fight.

The PFL's move under the MVP brand was announced in July. MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian lead the newly formed partnership, and PFL head John Martin sits on the board and continues as chief executive.

McKee said: “The merger is exciting. No one really knows what it could be or what it could entail.” He said his part was to keep knocking opponents out, because nothing earns attention like a knockout. He added: “I'm going to take care of what I can do and the other boys can take care of what they do and we can meet in the middle I'm sure.” Rodriguez, 29, is 11-2 and is looking to recover from his defeat by PFL Tournament champion Thad Jean for the world welterweight title in July. McKee said the American brings plenty to the fight.

McKee said: “A win over him, in the style I want to win, will put me straight in for a title fight or one away for a title fight. It's a big fight. I wanted a ranked fight, an important fight and this is definitely it.” The former BAMMA and Cage Warriors champion joined the PFL on a multi-fight contract in March after a second spell with the UFC. In April he won on his PFL debut in Belfast, outpointing Alex Lohore to move to 15 wins, seven losses and one draw.

He said the PFL had made the sport fun again for him and contrasted it with previous promotions, which he said dictated how things would be done. At the PFL, he said, fighters are asked for their opinion and get some input into their own path.

McKee said: “I feel for me, as an athlete at this stage of my career, it's perfect giving me a chance to show who I am as a person and then flourishing in the cage too.”

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Rhys McKee