Tag: Kevin Lee

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. 

Kevin Lee unsure on retirement from MMA after UFC return: ‘Right now, it’s gonna be about getting the surgery’

Kevin Lee unsure on permanent retirement from UFC it's about getting the surgeryDespite recently announcing his decision to retire from mixed martial arts competition following a brutal UFC Vegas 76 loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov earlier this month, former interim lightweight title challenger, Kevin Lee appears to be less than certain that his decision to hang up his gloves will be a permanent one. Lee, a former interim […]

Kevin Lee unsure on permanent retirement from UFC it's about getting the surgery

Despite recently announcing his decision to retire from mixed martial arts competition following a brutal UFC Vegas 76 loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov earlier this month, former interim lightweight title challenger, Kevin Lee appears to be less than certain that his decision to hang up his gloves will be a permanent one.

Lee, a former interim lightweight title challenger under the banner of the UFC, made his second Octagon debut earlier this month at UFC Vegas 76, taking on surging welterweight prospect, Fakhretdinov.

Dropping a spectacular first round submission loss, Missouri veteran, Lee was dropped in the opening exchanges with a massive straight punch, before he was then submitted with a guillotine choke in the opening minute of the first round.

In the aftermath of the loss, Lee, who had previously dropped consecutive defeats to former lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira, and Daniel Rodriguez before a brief stint with Eagle FC, confirmed his decision to retire from mixed martial arts competition, stressing that there was more to life than fighting.

Kevin Lee provides update on recent retirement after UFC return

However, in the weeks since his loss, the 30-year-old has now provided an update on his fighting future, revealing he is set to undergo another surgical procedure, however, has yet to definitely slammed the proverbial door on a permanent stay away from combat sports.

“It’s 100 percent,” Kevin Lee told Submission Radio during a recent interview. I had to put it outside of my mind. I don’t wanna leave a 95 (percent possibility) and, ‘Maybe in 10 years I’ll come back, or maybe in three years, or maybe in two years.’ For right now, it’s gonna be about getting the surgery. Healing myself, and then making a lot of money outside the sport.”

“I feel there’s a lot I can accomplish outside of the sport that me constantly thinking about fighting is kind of blocking my vision a little bit,” Kevin Lee explained. “Who knows – maybe if – I can’t help it, I’m always gonna be a fan of the sport. I’m still gonna train, so I don’t know – I do know, but I don’t know.” (Transcribed by MMA News)

Breaking – Kevin Lee confirms retirement from MMA following UFC Vegas 76 submission loss this month

Kevin Lee confirms retirement from MMA following UFC Vegas 76 lossFormer interim lightweight title challenger, Kevin Lee has confirmed his decision to retire from mixed martial arts competition, after suffering a 55-second submission loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov at UFC Vegas 76 at the beginning of this month. Lee, a former interim lightweight title challenger under the banner of the UFC, had been sidelined from the […]

Kevin Lee confirms retirement from MMA following UFC Vegas 76 loss

Former interim lightweight title challenger, Kevin Lee has confirmed his decision to retire from mixed martial arts competition, after suffering a 55-second submission loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov at UFC Vegas 76 at the beginning of this month.

Lee, a former interim lightweight title challenger under the banner of the UFC, had been sidelined from the Octagon since departing the organization off the back of consecutive losses to former lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira, and Daniel Rodriguez back in 2021.

Briefly returning to the winner’s enclosure under the banner of Eagle FC last year, Missouri native, Lee secured a close, unanimous decision win over former UFC lightweight title challenger, Diego Sanchez at the super lightweight limit of 165 pounds.

And returning to the Octagon for his second tenure with the UFC at the beginning of this month, Lee returned to the welterweight limit against the aforenoted, Fakhretdinov.

Dropping a stunning opening minute technical submission loss, Lee was dropped with a massive straight punch from Fakhretdinov, before he was caught in a guillotine choke after attempting a recovery takedown.

Kevin Lee confirms his decision to retire from MMA competition

Choked unconscious inside just 55-seconds of the opening frame, Lee, who had yet to comment on his defeat, has since broken his silence post-fight, confirming his decision to retire from mixed martial arts on his official Threads account.

“I’m going to retire from the UFC but I can’t find the right words to use in the video,” Kevin Lee posted on Threads. “There’s more to life than fighting.” (H/T MMA Mania)

During his first tenure under the banner of UFC, Lee would secure notable triumphs over the likes of Michel Prazeres, Efrain Escudero, Jake Matthews, Magomed Mustafaev, Francisco Trinaldo, Michael Chiesa, Edson Barboza, and Gregor Gillespie to name a few.

Coach claims Kevin Lee was too busy moaning to win in UFC return: ‘You should’ve focused more’

Kevin Lee too busy moaning to win in UFC return should've focused moreAmerican Kickboxing Academy head coach, Javier Mendez has claimed that “warning signs” should have been clear ahead of the return of former interim lightweight title challenger, Kevin Lee at UFC Vegas 76 last weekend – with the Missouri native suffering a brutal 55-second submission loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov. Lee, a former interim lightweight title challenger, […]

Kevin Lee too busy moaning to win in UFC return should've focused more

American Kickboxing Academy head coach, Javier Mendez has claimed that “warning signs” should have been clear ahead of the return of former interim lightweight title challenger, Kevin Lee at UFC Vegas 76 last weekend – with the Missouri native suffering a brutal 55-second submission loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov.

Lee, a former interim lightweight title challenger, made his second UFC debut over the course of last weekend against Russian standout, Fakhretdinov, suffering a stunning 55-second technical submission loss to the latter – suffering a guillotine choke submission defeat.

Dropping his third consecutive loss under the banner of the promotion, Kevin Lee had previously dropped a unanimous decision defeat to Daniel Rodriguez – which came off the back of a guillotine choke loss to former undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira in 2020 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Kevin Lee urged to focus more following his submission loss in his UFC return

And ahead of his return to the Octagon – Lee, who voiced his displeasure with fighting at the UFC Apex facility, as well as claiming there were many “holes” he had noticed in the game of former undisputed champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov, was criticized for a lack of focus by AKA maestro, Mendez.

“For me, some of the warning signs for me where Kevin (Lee) was talking about, ‘I’m beyond these little shows at the APEX’, his attitude, to me it’s like your focus should’ve been on winning over your opponent,” Javier Mendez said on his podcast. “Other comments were about Khabib (Nurmagomedov), ‘I saw holes in his game.’”

“You should’ve been more focused on your fight and forget anybody else, forget anybody in particular, just focus on yours because everybody was dying to see what you could do,” Mandez said of Kevin Lee. “It should have never came up – solely focus on the job at hand. A lot of fighters need to focus on the person they’re fighting, especially when you know you have a really tough opponent.” (H/T MMA Mania)

Reacting to Lee’s stunning submission loss, fans poked fun at the Detroit native, with social media users claiming he should have pursued a path on the TikTok platform – akin to his sibling, Keith Lee.