MMA: 'I've ticked all the boxes' for UFC return, says Rhys McKee after Dublin win

Jimmy Wallhead is struck by a Rhys McKee punch in Saturday night's welterweight fight

Rhys McKee believes his victory over Jimmy Wallhead in the Cage Warriors welterweight unification contest proves he is ready for a UFC comeback.

The Ballymena fighter defended his title in Dublin by stopping interim champion Wallhead on his stool at the end of the fourth round.

McKee parted ways with UFC in 2021 after two defeats.

"I think it has to be the UFC next - I've ticked all the boxes asked of me and proven it's where I belong."

McKee was well on top before securing the TKO (technical knockout) against seasoned veteran and UK MMA pioneer Wallhead, who confirmed his retirement at the end of the fight.

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It was a striking-dominated fight, with McKee being the more clinical and powerful man on his feet.

Both exchanged back and forth in the early rounds but, as the fight entered the third and fourth rounds, McKee really began to show his dominance, opening up multiple cuts on the face of his opponent, and taking total control of the contest.

So much so that at the end of the fourth round, Wallhead was unable to answer the call for the fifth and final round.

Rhys McKee celebrates with the welterweight belt after defeating Jimmy Wallhead at the 3Arena

"Now the dust has settled I honestly feel amazing, what a night," added 27-year-old McKee.

"To come away from Belfast with the belt and to then travel to the other side of the country to defend it really is the dream kind of story. Bigger fight, bigger opponent, bigger stage. I honestly feel extremely proud with how it has all played out.

"I feel like my skill and technique came to the fore last night and I think that was down to the gameplan we had set out.

"As the rounds progressed, the tempo of the fight was starting to rise and every round it was becoming more and more convincing that it was swaying in my favour and this was my fight.

"I said to my team in the lead up to the fight that I would love to make this win convincing and make him call it on the stool between the fourth and the fifth rounds - and that's exactly what happened."

McKee is now hoping to get an invite back to UFC and he is confident he can be a success if he returns.

"I have 13 wins to my name, all 13 by way of finish, six wins in total with Cage Warriors, a world title claim and a defence in my last two, both in sold-out arenas as the headliner.

"I have proven I am ready for my return and they will see a different Rhys McKee to the man that was there. I just need that opportunity to do it.

"I'm still only 27 and I'm only scratching the surface - I'm not even in my prime yet. I'm getting smarter and more experienced in all areas, inside and outside of the cage.

"My training has been immense, my team are dialled in, my fight IQ has never been higher. I'm at a very exciting point right now, and I feel the world is at my feet.

"I just need that call and I'll be ready to go, as always."