It cannot be overstated what Ballymena’s Rhys McKee achieved on Friday night.
One year ago at BAMMA 28, Rhys McKee suffered his first career loss to Tim Barnett.
McKee was actually ill when they first threw down and was unable to put any weight back on after the weigh-ins. Barnett seized the advantage in spectacular fashion. He went to work with vicious knees and elbows before the referee intervened to stop the fight in the 11th hour of the opening round.
That loss lit a fire in McKee’s belly. He rebounded by fighting SBG’s Richie Smullen to a very entertaining draw and got back in the win column by submitting Kams Ekpo via triangle choke.
But that loss to Barnett was one he was really focused on getting back.
https://twitter.com/Jolassanda/status/835213818204721152
Revenge
McKee got his opportunity to exact revenge at BAMMA 34. The bout was initially booked for the RDX belt, a secondary BAMMA title for prospects which, coincidentally, Barnett won by beating McKee.
However, when Ryan Scope vacated his belt to sign for Bellator, the fight was bumped up for the undisputed title.
Standing between him and that BAMMA world title was the only man he had lost to, who just happened to be undefeated. McKee made exacting revenge look remarkably easy. All things considered.
https://twitter.com/BAMMA/status/972227246600552448
It was one-way traffic for the duration of the fight. McKee lit up Barnett on the feet, having continued success with his leg kicks, his jabs and basically everything he threw at him. Once he got that first knockdown, the finish seemed inevitable.
Referee Marc Goddard deserves credit for his performance though. While the finish was coming, Barnett did just enough work defensively to stay in the fight as long as he did.
Eventually, Goddard had no option but to step in. With just a few seconds left in the round, McKee landed a seismic knee to the dome which visibly hurt his adversary. Goddard swiftly broke it up and the new champion was crowned.
https://twitter.com/BAMMA/status/972228136388591616
At just 22 years of age, McKee looks like he has a very high ceiling in this sport. That kind of performance indicates he may have what it takes to follow in the footsteps of Tom Duquesnoy, Scott Askham, Paul Craig and Mark Godbeer by signing for the UFC after winning BAMMA gold.
