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The one-time UFC interim lightweight challenger says he can outwrestle anyone in the welterweight division, including reigning champion Leon Edwards. 

Kevin Lee has set some lofty goals for himself ahead of his UFC return.

After re-signing with the promotion following his release over a year ago, the ‘Motown Phenom’ revealed he would permanently move from lightweight to welterweight. Though 0-2 at that weight in the UFC, Lee told TMZ Sports this stint would be different, especially since he expects to go on a run that could include a potential fight against reigning UFC champion Leon Edwards.

“In two years, people won’t even remember I was a lightweight,” said Lee. “I can win that welterweight strap. Leon Edwards got it right now. I can outwrestle that man and win that strap so, I’m chasing that title now.”

As for the rest of the weight class, Lee feels confident he can outwrestle them too.

“Hands down, I’m one of the best wrestlers in the world,” said Lee. “That really can’t even be disputed. Anybody that I’ve fought against, I’m taking them down, and I’m controlling them, and you don’t see that against a lot of the top welterweights.

“These guys are good wrestlers, but how does Khamzat [Chimaev] do when somebody is trying to take him down?,” continued Lee. “How does Colby [Covington] do when somebody’s trying to take him down? And I feel like I pose a lot of those questions, and my style matches up against a lot of those guys. I’m faster, I’m just as explosive, I’m just as strong, and I got the technique to back it up. I think it’s gonna solve a lot of cardio issues. It’s gonna be great for my career.”

Lee expressed interest in returning at UFC 287, the upcoming pay-per-view event scheduled for April 8 at the Miami-Dade Arena. He has yet to reveal a potential opponent, but if it were up to him, Lee would fight Colby Covington.

“Let’s fight,” said Lee. “Let’s get it in. We’ve had some back and forth for a couple of years now. It’s been some unfinished business, so now the timing is right. Don’t run away from it, don’t look to politic and [try] to take the best fight. Man, come on. Put your nuts where your mouth is and let’s go.”

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About the author: Kristen King is a writer for Bloody Elbow. She has covered combat sports since 2016. (full bio)

Bellator MMA will once again return to Hawaii for a two-night doubleheader where titles will be on the line for both star-studded events taking place on consecutive nights, according to a recent report from KOHN2.

At Bellator 294, current women’s Flyweight champion Liz Carmouche will defend her title against Deanna Bennett on Friday April 21, 2023 inside Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu. Carmouche defended her title against former division queen, Julianna Velasquez, submitting her via armbar in round two at Bellator 289.

Bennett, meanwhile, is on a three-fight win streak and is coming off back-to-back wins over Jsutin Kish. Also participating on the card will be Keoni Diggs, Kai Kamaka III and Sumiko Inaba, among others, though opponents have yet to be named.

The following night, Sat., April 22, interim Bantamweight champion, Raufeon Stots, will defend his belt against Patchy Mix in the finale of the Bantamweight Grand Prix. On an 11-fight win streak, Stots was last seen defeating Danny Sabatello via split-decision at Bellator 289.

Mix, meanwhile, earned his spot in the finale by taking out Kyoji Horiguchi at Bellator 279 and Magomed Magomedov at Bellator 289. Mix is currently on a four-fight win streak and is 6-1 under the Bellator banner.

Also fighting on the card will be local talents Yancy Medeiros taking on Charlie Leary, wile Ilima-Lei Macfarlane has yet to lock down an opponent for the event. Both events will air on Showtime.

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To check out the latest Bellator MMA-related news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive news archive right here.

She don’t lie, she don’t lie, she don’t lie…

UFC President Dana White lobbied for regulation over his new slap fighting promotion and Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), never one to turn down an opportunity for income, rubber stamped the application to help White and Co. bring some legitimacy to an otherwise nonsensical sporting competition.

With Season 1 of “Power Slap” well underway, NSAC managed to nab its first competitor thanks to a positive drug test. Light heavyweight bruiser Jon Kennedy flunked for cocaine after his slapout loss to John Davis and will spend nine months on the sidelines, according to MMA Junkie, in addition to his fine of $476.

Things weren’t much better on the UFC side.

Up-and-coming flyweight Carlos Mota popped for the metabolic modulator meldonium and will have to fork over a whopping $2,848 in fines. In addition, the former LFA 125-pound champion was suspended for two years and won’t be eligible to compete until Oct. 2024. Meldonium has been on the WADA list of banned substances since early 2016.

Mota’s lone UFC appearance resulted in a unanimous decision loss to Cody Durden.

‘Remember the Name’ is trying to get a fight with ‘Chaos,’ but the latter reportedly keeps turning down offers. 

Belal Muhammad is getting mixed signals from Colby Covington on a potential fight.

On the verge of his first UFC championship opportunity, Muhammad says the promotion offered him Covington as his next opponent. According to ‘Remember the Name,’ he accepted, and so did ‘Chaos,’ but then something changed. Covington declined, and Muhammad has yet to hear anything else from the UFC.

“All they presented was Colby,” said Muhammad in a recent interview with Helen Yee. “They said Colby was down, and then the next week, he wasn’t down. Then they said he was down again, and then they said they can’t find him again. I don’t know what’s happening with him. I think he’s trying to figure out, hoping that one of these ‘55ers will move up to 170 and fight him. Or get lucky with one of those trick shots, but if you want to be a champion, if you want to be the guy, you think you’re the best in the world, you gotta fight the best in the world. And right now, I’m the best in the world.”

With Covington seemingly out as a potential opponent, Muhammad assessed his other options. There was Khamzat Chimaev, but ‘Borz’ has set his sights on a return to middleweight for a fight with Robert Whittaker.

The only other option would be the winner of the upcoming championship fight between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman at UFC 286, which Muhammad would prefer. In fact, the Roufusport representative has offered to serve as the backup fighter for Edwards vs. Usman III next month.

“It’s frustrating,” said Muhammad. “I’m in a rough spot right now because you got the title fight coming up on March 18. And the only guys above me are Khazmat, who’s moving up to middleweight, and Colby, who doesn’t want to fight.

“So, what I’m looking at, there’s nobody else in line for the title but me,” continued Muhammad. “I’m hoping the UFC gives me what I deserve, gives me the title shot [against] the winner of the next fight. Like I said, I’ll do Colby. I’ll fight Colby, but if he doesn’t want to fight, I think I deserve the next title shot.”

Muhammad extended his unbeaten streak to nine recently, with a second-round TKO of Sean Brady at UFC 280. And Covington has not fought since UFC 272, where he defeated friend-turned-foe Jorge Masvidal. At this time, the former interim UFC welterweight champion is involved in ongoing legal issues with ‘Gamebred’ stemming from an alleged assault this past March.

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About the author: Kristen King is a writer for Bloody Elbow. She has covered combat sports since 2016. (full bio)