Which Bellator featherweight prospect will be most successful?

Which featherweight prospect will be most successful?

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mattandbenny

mattandbenny

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Bellator currently has 2 featherweights that they are banking on to become huge stars - AJ McKee Jr and Aaron Pico. Both are early 20's (Pico 21, McKee 23) and both have had some impressive finishes so far. Who does everyone think will have the best career out of the two?
 
The way dillashaw talked about Pico on JRE he sounds like he has the tools and mindset to go far, so ima choose him.
 
It will more than likely be Pico, but they both appear to be in for great careers. They both have intangibles. Pico has trained for a long time, has major experience in wrestling, boxing, and pankration. McKee has also been training for a long time, is looked after by his father, who was also a successful fighter himself (although, floundered at the highest levels), and has more experience fighting than his records lets on (7-1 as an amateur).

The difference here, to me and maybe most, is that Pico is without a doubt a major athletic talent, and has already competed and won titles on the national/international stage in more than one sport. His hype is well earned.
 
Pico. McKee would have a chance if they fought today though. Pico higher ceiling imo. Maybe McKee grows into 155? He is kind of tall.
 
Disagree with the general direction of this thread. The idea that Pico so clearly has the higher ceiling is questionable. AJ McKee has height, length, and serious athletic ability to go along with a well rounded skill set. Pico has a lot of pre-MMA accolades, and I agree the kid has a high ceiling, but so far getting humiliated in his debut and blowing out a couple of no hopers doesn't prove too much.

McKee isn't a prospect, though. He just beat Macapa in more impressive fashion than Curran or Wiechel. He's officially a contender, his opponents from here on out will only be relevant guys in the division, and he's probably close to a title shot. Pico will probably get into that position sooner than later, but it's yet to be seen.
 
Gmork said:
Disagree with the general direction of this thread. The idea that Pico so clearly has the higher ceiling is questionable. AJ McKee has height, length, and serious athletic ability to go along with a well rounded skill set. Pico has a lot of pre-MMA accolades, and I agree the kid has a high ceiling, but so far getting humiliated in his debut and blowing out a couple of no hopers doesn't prove too much.

McKee isn't a prospect, though. He just beat Macapa in more impressive fashion than Curran or Wiechel. He's officially a contender, his opponents from here on out will only be relevant guys in the division, and he's probably close to a title shot. Pico will probably get into that position sooner than later, but it's yet to be seen.
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I chose pico, but I wanted to say something similar.

I feel like pico could have the advantage in a fight at the present time, but he is still working the kinks out. As you’ve stated, McKee has height and range. Pico has been willing to bang, all the while being nice and flat footed. He needs to work on that.

I wouldn’t rule out seeing a super quick ko for McKee in this hypothetical, considering how fast McKee came out last night.

His kicks are dangerous.
 
Both are impressive. Aaron Pico is my choice.
 
Pico I think but both look good, they train together so I wonder if we would ever see them fight, I'd guess one of them moves up eventually
 
not sure just glad they're getting the 145 bottleneck under control i don't wanna see Pitbull, curran and Strauss just handing the belt back an forth anymore
 
AJ McKee will be Coker first home grown talent, got him signed from first fight
 
I got Mckee. Everybody seems to forget how good McKee is, and remember how good Pico is crushing cans.
 
It’s a tough call. Both amazing prospects at 145. It’s amazing to see Coker’s first homegrown prospect in Bellator really start to come into his own. People are always bitching about Bellator promoting the old guys and never the prospects. Well raising prospects takes time. Ppl expect Coker to pull polished prospects out of his ass. He’s gotten some time and the numbers more than speak for themselves. McKee, Pico, Ruth, and to a lesser extent Fortune and Davis will all be emerging as contenders within the next year or so.

I remember a few years back we all said if Coker was gonna overtake the UFC, it would have to be through the occasional free agent and through an extensive prospect building program. Well he went out and signed some kids and now the fruits of his labor are starting to take place! Very exciting times indeed!
 
Gmork said:
Disagree with the general direction of this thread. The idea that Pico so clearly has the higher ceiling is questionable. AJ McKee has height, length, and serious athletic ability to go along with a well rounded skill set. Pico has a lot of pre-MMA accolades, and I agree the kid has a high ceiling, but so far getting humiliated in his debut and blowing out a couple of no hopers doesn't prove too much.

McKee isn't a prospect, though. He just beat Macapa in more impressive fashion than Curran or Wiechel. He's officially a contender, his opponents from here on out will only be relevant guys in the division, and he's probably close to a title shot. Pico will probably get into that position sooner than later, but it's yet to be seen.
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I agree somewhat, except that Coker will probably keep giving McKee squash matches on the undercard of Royce-DaDa4000.

It took Coker something like 5 years to give MVP a semi-relevant match-up in Daley, and (I hope I’m wrong) he’s liable to do the same with other fighters. In the meantime, he’ll tie up the belt with a champ-vs-champ “grand prix” or just book Strauss-Patricio part 6 for the title.
 
HaulParris said:
I agree somewhat, except that Coker will probably keep giving McKee squash matches on the undercard of Royce-DaDa4000.

It took Coker something like 5 years to give MVP a semi-relevant match-up in Daley, and (I hope I’m wrong) he’s liable to do the same with other fighters. In the meantime, he’ll tie up the belt with a champ-vs-champ “grand prix” or just book Strauss-Patricio part 6 for the title.
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AJ just had a relevant fight and he passed the test with flying colors. They can't and won't keep him in squash matches any longer. MVP was a different beast, as he was a marketable specialist that probably didn't stack up against top fighters at the time. AJ is a home-grown MMA prospect that's ready to swim in the big kid pool. I'm sure Pico won't be far behind him if he keeps handling business.
 
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