Homecoming

Following Rhys McKee's first headline victory as part of the organisation in November 2019, Cage Warriors announced their first ever visit to Belfast with an event in the iconic SSE Arena, schedule for May of 2020. Rhys was the man they chose to headline the card, where he would fight for the then vacant welterweight world championship. Not long after the announcement, the world was throw into turmoil with the pandemic, and with the ensuing lockdown everything planned was soon scrapped.

In the summer of 2020, despite the issues in the world, one of Rhys' dreams came, and he was signed to the UFC. Following a two fight run with the organisation, Rhys took some time away from the cage, to focus on himself and his career. As the world began to return to normal, one thing the Ballymena man looked into was the original story he had with Cage Warriors. So after nearly a year out of the cage, Rhys re-signed with the organisation, to settle the unfinished business he had with their world title.

After a dominant victory in his return in London, against one of the top prospects in Europe at the time, Rhys set up his title shot perfectly. The opposition was to be Justin Burlinson, one of the most promising fighters in Europe, and a man many were avoiding at the time. Coming off a win against someone who many thought was the number one contender, it was a fight worthy of a big stage, and where bigger than the long awaited Belfast debut of Cage Warriors.

This was Rhys McKee's chance to finish the story that was laid out for him two years prior. This was his chance to become a world champion for the second time in his career. This was his chance to perform in front of his people, for the first time in nearly three years. This was his "Homecoming".