Rhys McKee Slated To Meet Aleksi Mantykivi At Cage Warriors 129 On October 2nd.

Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Two-fight UFC alum, Rhys 'Skeletor' McKee has the first outing of his second tenure under the Graham Boylan-led Cage Warriors banner booked -- returning at Cage Warriors 129 as part of the Trilogy event on October 2. -- drawing Finish finisher, Aleksi Mantykivi at York Hall.

Last month, McKee confirmed that he would be competing under the Cage Warriors banner for his second stint with the organization, following a two-fight run under the Dana White-led UFC banner last year.

The Ballymena striker enters the bout with Mantykivi off the back of a pair of defeats, the most recent of which came opposite upcoming UFC Vegas 36 main card feature, Alex Morono in November of last year at UFC Vegas 14.

For Team East Front mainstay, Mantykivi his most recent outing came opposite recent UFC signing, former two-weight Cage Warriors kingpin, Mason Jones back in October 2019 at Cage Warriors 108 -- dropping a unanimous decision loss to the Welsh standout. The promotion announced the pairing of McKee and Mantykivi in a press release this afternoon. 

Making his UFC bow on short-notice on 'Fight Island' in July of last year, McKee suffered a first round ground strikes stoppage loss against the surging undefeated uber-prospect, Khamzat Chimaev in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The 25-year-old is a product of head coach, Rodney Moore and prior to his defeat to Chimaev last summer, had enjoyed an eye-catching three-fight winning spree under the scrutiny of Cage Warriors.

McKee debuted in the promotion with a first round knockout win over Jefferson George, before submitting Perry Andre Goodwin with a second round guillotine, prior to a knockout stoppage over Hakon Foss. 

13-6 as a professional, 27-year-old Fin, Mantykivi has featured twice under the Cage Warriors banner, dropping his aforenoted loss to Jones as well as a knockout defeat to recent vacant welterweight title challenger, Jack Grant in his promotional bow.

From his 13 professional victories, Mantykivi has managed six eye-catching knockouts to go with a further three successful submission wins. 

In notable previous victories, Mantykivi has defeated now-Bellator feature and Cage Warriors alum, Soren Bak, as well as Guilherme Cadena.