McKee takes unanimous decision in 3-round dissection of Lawrence

AJ McKee brought Team Bodyshop to 2-0 on the night at Bellator 197.

Moments after training partner Kevin "Baby Slice" Ferguson Jr. kicked off Friday's main card with a 34-second tapout of Devon Brock, the highly touted featherweight prospect picked former "TUF" contestant Justin Lawrence apart to get his hand raised for the 11th time in as many pro fights via unanimous decision.

McKee and fellow undefeated upstart James Gallagher had traded barbs on more than one occasion prior to Friday's matchup, and the former stoked the fire with yet another callout immediately after the scorecards were read.

The first round saw Lawrence take the center of the cage and sporadically shoot for takedowns, with McKee stuffing his foe's shots and looking to find his range from the outside. The young southpaw appeared to have settled into a rhythm at the bottom of the frame, one he capped with a swift 1-2 and a pair of kicks to the body that caught Lawrence's attention.

An apparent ankle injury, McKee's reach and varied toolkit all but nullified Lawrence's offense in the latter pair of frames, with the longer, rangier McKee finding a home for his power left hand and landing kicks upstairs, down, and to the body whenever he chose to dart into striking distance.

The verdict halted Lawrence's two-fight win streak and brought his Bellator slate to 4-3.