McKee to face Rodriguez at PFL Dubai in November

Ballymena's Rhys McKee will face former world title challenger Ernesto Rodriguez at PFL Dubai on 14 November.

The 31-year-old returned to winning ways on his PFL debut in Belfast in April as he scored a knockdown on his way to a points verdict over Alex Lohore to improve to 15 wins, seven losses and one draw.

McKee made the switch to the PFL following a second stint with the UFC, where he faced some of the best welterweights in the world and has previously collected BAMMA and Cage Warriors titles.

"[I'm] looking forward to fighting in Dubai," McKee said.

"I've seen how big an event is there and know it'll be a special night, having a fight that will put me straight into the rankings with a tough opponent in Ernesto it's all to play for.

"With Ernesto fighting for the title his last fight I know this win puts me into that conversation and my goal now is chasing the belt."

Cuban-American Rodriguez (11-2) who is seeking to bounce back from his defeat by PFL Tournament champion Thad Jean for the world welterweight title at PFL Washington DC in July, following an impressive victory over Japanese veteran Masayuki Kikuiri in Pittsburgh four months earlier.

The 29-year-old, who is based out of Las Vegas, took that fight on just 36 hours notice and looked set to score a victory in the first but succumbed to Jean's pressure in the third.