A.J. McKee to Face Emmanuel Sanchez at Bellator MMA Event in Oklahoma on Dec. 2

A pair of rising prospects will square off when Bellator travels to Thackerville, Okla., on Dec. 2, when A.J. McKee collides with Emmanuel Sanchez in a featherweight duel (online sportsbooks).

Promotion officials announced the pairing on Friday. The event, although not officially numbered in the release, is likely to be Bellator 166 and will take place at the Winstar World Casino. McKee-Sanchez will be part of the evening’s main card; more bouts will be announced in the coming weeks. The card will air on Spike TV at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT.

McKee’s entire five-fight professional career has taken place under the Bellator banner. The Team Bodyshop member has finished each of his foes inside of a round, including a 32-second submission of Cody Walker in his most recent outing at Bellator 160.

Anchored at Roufusport in Milwaukee, Wisc., Sanchez has posted a 6-2 record in the California-based promotion. After earning three straight triumphs over Henry Corrales, Justin Lawrence and Daniel Pineda, “El Matador” dropped a split decision to former title challenger Daniel Weichel in his last appearance at Bellator 159.