Tag: Kevin Lee

Kevin Lee provides update on MMA return amid injury layoff: ‘I’m still fighting’

Kevin Lee provides update on MMA return amid injury layoff: 'I'm still fighting'Former interim UFC lightweight title challenger, Kevin Lee maintains that he is “still fighting” in mixed martial arts competition…

Kevin Lee provides update on MMA return amid injury layoff: 'I'm still fighting'

Former interim UFC lightweight title challenger, Kevin Lee maintains that he is “still fighting” in mixed martial arts competition amid his latest injury layoff, dispelling a retirement from combat sports at just 31 years of age.

Lee, a former interim lightweight title challenger in the UFC, made his return to the Octagon back in July of last year at the Apex facility, following a prior one-fight stint in the Khabib Nurmagomedov-backed Eagle FC.

96233339092

Suffering a devastating 55-second technical submission loss via guillotine choke, Lee was dropped early on the feet by Rinat Fakhretdinov, before he was stopped, sending him for his third loss in four most recent outings.

In his last win, Lee suffered another knee injury setback in a super lightweight matchup against former UFC star, Diego Sanchez, earning a unanimous decision win over The Ultimate Fighter 1 winner.

Kevin Lee confirms retirement from MMA following UFC Vegas 76 loss
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Kevin Lee maintains he is still planning on fighting

And following his loss to the higly-touted Fakhretdinov, Lee confirmed his retirement from combat sports, however, on social media this week – claiming he is still planning to fight in the future, as he recovers from the latest injury setback which required another trip under the knife.

Kevin Lee eyes rematch fight with Tony Ferguson after snapping retirement UFC return

“There’s some false narratives going around that people think I’m retired,” Kevin Lee said on his official Instagram account. “You never seen me lay my gloves down in the cage. You never seen me take my gloves off. Don’t believe everything you heard on the internet.”

“I’m 31,” Kevin Lee explained. “I just had surgery less than a year ago, I’ve been sitting out from the surgery. But read my lips, I’m still fighting.”

Competing for an interim lightweight title at UFC 216, Lee headlined against Tony Ferguson, dropping a third round triangle choke submission loss to the Oxnard veteran. 

Do you think Kevin Lee can make good on a UFC return?

Kevin Lee eyes Tony Ferguson rematch after confirming retirement-Snapping UFC return: ‘There’s great fights’

Kevin Lee eyes rematch fight with Tony Ferguson after snapping retirement UFC returnFormer interim lightweight title challenger, Kevin Lee has already laid out a host of names to welcome him back…

Kevin Lee eyes rematch fight with Tony Ferguson after snapping retirement UFC return

Former interim lightweight title challenger, Kevin Lee has already laid out a host of names to welcome him back to the Octagon after confirming the snapping of his retirement from active competition – with the ex-UFC championship chaser suggesting a rematch fight with former rival, Tony Ferguson.

Lee, a former interim lightweight title challenger – who featured against Ferguson in a triangle choke submission loss back in 2017 in the pair’s championship battle, confirmed his plans to finish his fighting career back in the summer of last year.

However, less than a year later, the Michigan native confirmed this week how a conversation with his mother sparked his decision to make a retirement u-turn – and chase a comeback fight under the UFC banner once more.

Making his return at a UFC Vegas 76 card back in July of last year, Lee, who has dealt with a slew of recurring knee injuries in the latter tenure of his career, suffered a catastrophic guillotine choke submission loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov in just 55 seconds. 

Kevin Lee welcomes Tony Ferguson rematch in UFC return

And off the back of his announcement of a comeback to active competition earlier this week, Lee suggested future fights in his return against the likes of the above-mentioned, Ferguson, lightweight staple, Michael Chandler, or even former two-division champion, Conor McGregor.

“There’s a couple great fights [for a comeback],” Kevin Lee told Middleeasy during a recent interview. “Tony Ferguson, maybe the winner or loser of Conor (McGregor) or (Michael) Chandler.”

“I’m honestly not focused too much on opponents right now,” Kevin Lee continued. “I think I have a long road ahead of me as far as getting healthy [goes]. Two getting into shape, and three, singing a contract. Then maybe we can look at location, and then talk about opponents. So, it’s far down the road for me to be thinking about opponents.”

Over the course of his stint in the Octagon collectively, Lee has turned in notable wins over the likes of Efrain Escudero, Jake Matthews, Michael Chiesa, Edson Barboza, and most recently, a hellacious high-kick KO win over then-surging wrestling ace, Gregor Gillespie. 

Would you like to see Kevin Lee fight Tony Ferguson in his return to the UFC?

Ex-UFC title challenger Kevin Lee announces his return to MMA: ‘I’m coming out of retirement’

Kevin LeeUFC veteran Kevin Lee is cutting short his retirement. Lee, 31, announced his retirement in July following a 55-second guillotine choke…

Kevin Lee

UFC veteran Kevin Lee is cutting short his retirement.

Lee, 31, announced his retirement in July following a 55-second guillotine choke submission loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov at a UFC Fight Night event. It was his first fight back with the promotion after being released in November 2021.

On Wednesday, the ‘Motown Phenom’ took to social media to announce his comeback.

“I’m coming out of retirement,” Lee wrote on X. “I’ll fight MMA again. Idk when, where, or who yet but I’m dropping weight and getting into shape now. … I’m gonna get in the best shape of my life that’s my focus right now. It’s been 6 months since I retired and I miss being around the sport.”

Winning nine out of 10 fights inside the Octagon, Kevin Lee secured his first shot at UFC gold in October 2017. He faced Tony Ferguson at UFC 216 for the interim lightweight championship, but came up short, suffering a third-round submission loss to ‘El Cucuy.’

Lee struggled to find the win column, dropping four of his next six fights before being released by the organization. He went on to score a victory over Diego Sanchez under the Eagle FC banner before making his very brief return to the UFC last year.

Lee went 11-8 inside the Octagon and carries an overall record of 19-8.

Ex-UFC title challenger Kevin Lee announces his return to MMA: ‘I’m coming out of retirement’

Kevin LeeUFC veteran Kevin Lee is cutting short his retirement. Lee, 31, announced his retirement in July following a 55-second guillotine choke…

Kevin Lee

UFC veteran Kevin Lee is cutting short his retirement.

Lee, 31, announced his retirement in July following a 55-second guillotine choke submission loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov at a UFC Fight Night event. It was his first fight back with the promotion after being released in November 2021.

On Wednesday, the ‘Motown Phenom’ took to social media to announce his comeback.

“I’m coming out of retirement,” Lee wrote on X. “I’ll fight MMA again. Idk when, where, or who yet but I’m dropping weight and getting into shape now. … I’m gonna get in the best shape of my life that’s my focus right now. It’s been 6 months since I retired and I miss being around the sport.”

Winning nine out of 10 fights inside the Octagon, Kevin Lee secured his first shot at UFC gold in October 2017. He faced Tony Ferguson at UFC 216 for the interim lightweight championship, but came up short, suffering a third-round submission loss to ‘El Cucuy.’

Lee struggled to find the win column, dropping four of his next six fights before being released by the organization. He went on to score a victory over Diego Sanchez under the Eagle FC banner before making his very brief return to the UFC last year.

Lee went 11-8 inside the Octagon and carries an overall record of 19-8.

Kevin Lee snaps back at Sean Strickland following ‘teary-eyed’ street fight challenge

StricklandUnfortunately for Sean Strickland, Kevin Lee will not be making the trip to Las Vegas to confront the often controversial and always outspoken middleweight contender. The beef between Strickland and Kevin Lee started when ‘Tarzan’ accused his younger brother, Keith Lee, of being a racist during an appearance on The Man Dance Podcast. Keith Lee […]

Strickland

Unfortunately for Sean Strickland, Kevin Lee will not be making the trip to Las Vegas to confront the often controversial and always outspoken middleweight contender.

The beef between Strickland and Kevin Lee started when ‘Tarzan’ accused his younger brother, Keith Lee, of being a racist during an appearance on The Man Dance Podcast.

Keith Lee was content to leave well enough alone, but after being flooded with messages regarding statements he insists that he never made, the former Bellator fighter had no choice, but to address the situation.

That in turn got the attention of Sean Strickland who issued a response to Keith Lee on social media, suggesting that his big brother and ex-UFC star Kevin Lee may be coming to the desert for a streetfight in Sin City.

“There is a small chance that Kevin lee might come to Vegas next week to defend his brothers honor…. No rules.. no time limit… No criminal prosecution… I don’t normally feel this level of joy… Man I haven’t cried in years but it’s happening……. thank you keith lee,” Strickland tweeted.

Kevin Lee Has No Plans to Meet Sean Strickland in Las Vegas

Now Kevin Lee has thrown his two-cents into the conversation, letting Sean Strickland know that he will not be making his way to Vegas for a confrontation. ‘The Motown Phenom’ also made it clear that it was Strickland’s comments about Lee’s coach Dewey Cooper that got him fired up.

“Not gonna make it. Hate to disappoint but I got something else to do. What you said about Dewey is what got me. Keith told me not to, so keep the hate,” Lee tweeted in response.

At one time, Kevin Lee was one of the UFC’s most highly-touted prospects. Going on an impressive 9-2 run inside the Octagon, Lee was matched up with fan favorite Tony Ferguson for an interim lightweight title clash at UFC 216. Lee came up short, falling in the third-round via a triangle choke. ‘The Motown Phenom’ never truly recovered from the defeat, going 2-4 in his last six before being unceremoniously cut from the promotion.

Lee picked up a win against Diego Sanchez under Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Eagle FC banner in 2022 before making his return to the Octagon earlier this month. Desperate to get his career back on track, Lee instead suffered another indignity, losing to Rinat Fakhretdinov via submission just 55-seconds into the opening round.

Lee announced his retirement from the sport shortly after.

Kevin Lee laments failed UFC fight with Conor McGregor: ‘It would’ve changed a lot of things financially’

Kevin Lee laments failed fight with Conor McGregor it would've changed things financially UFCFollowing his decision to retire from mixed martial arts competition following his return to the Octagon at UFC Vegas 76  earlier this month, former interim lightweight title challenger, Kevin Lee has revealed he laments a failed clash with former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor during his initial stint with the promotion. Lee, who made his Octagon […]

Kevin Lee laments failed fight with Conor McGregor it would've changed things financially UFC

Following his decision to retire from mixed martial arts competition following his return to the Octagon at UFC Vegas 76  earlier this month, former interim lightweight title challenger, Kevin Lee has revealed he laments a failed clash with former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor during his initial stint with the promotion.

Lee, who made his Octagon return at UFC Vegas 76 just earlier this month, suffered his third consecutive loss inside the Octagon, dropping a first round guillotine choke defeat to Rinat Fakhretdinov in the opening minute of their welterweight clash.

Last year, the Missouri native headlined a Eagle FC event hosted by former UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov at the super lightweight limit of 165lbs against The Ultimate Fighter winner, Diego Sanchez – landing a decision win over the New Mexico veteran.

Kevin Lee discusses failed fight against Conor McGregor back in 2017

And reflecting on his achievements in the sport, Lee admitted that he wished his result against former interim champion, Tony Ferguson went his way back in 2017 – believing an interim title win would have set him up to fight then-champion, McGregor.

“I just wish I was smarter, especially in fights like the Tony Ferguson fight,” Kevin Lee told Submission Radio during a recent interview. “I feel like that fight cost me a lot, it cost me my head coach, which really changed the trajectory of my career.”

“It obviously cost me the world title, it cost me a fight against Conor McGregor which would’ve changed a lot of things financially,” Kevin Lee explained. “So, if there is any fights that I wish had gone different is the Tony Ferguson fight.But, I don’t have any regrets, no. I learned a lot, especially from that one.”

19-8 as a professional, during his initial run with the UFC, Lee racked up victories over the likes of Efrain Escudero, Jake Matthews, Francisco Trinaldo, Michael Chiesa, Edson Barboza, and Gregor Gillespie.