Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
One fight at welterweight might have been enough for Kevin Lee, as he is already considering a move back down to lightweight.
After a brief stint at welterweight, Kevin Lee is already planning a move back down to 155-pounds, and the former interim title challenger already has a opponent and location in mind.
Lee (17-5) fought Rafael dos Anjos in his UFC welterweight debut back in May, losing the fight by fourth-round submission. The 27-year-old has only one win in his last four fights, defeating Edson Barboza prior to his decision loss to Al Iaquinta.
Talking recently to ESPN, Lee said after watching Khabib Nurmagomedov’s performance at UFC 242 against Dustin Poirier last weekend, it made him interested in a fight with the Russian.
“After looking at that last fight with Khabib, I did an interview before Khabib fought Dustin (Poirier) and said I wasn’t too impressed,” Lee said. “But after seeing the way Khabib handled Dustin, I might want a piece of that cake. I like the biggest target I can find. He’s the real challenge out there. He’s the guy who is going to challenge Jon Jones for the pound-for-pound title. That’s the kind of fight that will get me up.” (Transcription via MMA Mania)
Lee continued by saying he wants to fight on the UFC’s upcoming card in Moscow, which takes place on November 9th. A fight with Khabib’s teammate Islam Makachev is one that Lee is interested in, as he also toyed with the idea of having Khabib fighting Georges-St Pierre on the same card.
“I hear they’re going to Moscow and I hear Islam [Makhachev] might want a fight,” Lee said. “Me and Islam on a co-main in Moscow sounds good to me. People see him as the next Khabib. I’ll be training with Georges [St-Pierre]. There’s talks of trying to make Khabib and Georges happen. There are a lot of little storylines there. Lot of motivation in a fight like that.”