Kevin Lee News

Josh Evanoff - May 27, 2024

Former title challenger Kevin Lee is almost ready to make his UFC return. ‘The Motown Phenom’ has had a rough last few years. Kevin Lee last competed in July 2021, against Rinat Fakhretdinov. The bout was his first in well over a year, and his first back in the octagon since being released from the UFC in August 2021. Ultimately, Lee was choked out inside of a round by the welterweight contender.

Josh Evanoff - February 7, 2024

UFC lightweight contender Kevin Lee has a few names in mind for his impending return. Earlier this month, ‘The Motown Phenom’ announced plans to return to the cage. Last summer, Kevin Lee retired following a first-round submission loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov. For the former UFC title challenger, the bout was his first back in the Dana White-led company after being released in 2021.

Cole Shelton - February 6, 2024

Kevin Lee regrets fighting Rinat Fakhretdinov last year. After Lee scored a decision win over Diego Sanchez in Eagle FC, he was re-signed to the UFC. In his debut fight, he was booked to face Fakhretdinov. Entering the scrap, Lee was a sizeable underdog and it was Fakhretdinov who won the fight as he recorded a submission victory in just 55 seconds.

Cole Shelton - January 31, 2024

Kevin Lee will be ending his retirement from MMA. Lee announced his retirement back in July, in a move that surprised many. The 3o-year-old took to Instagram where he revealed that injuries played a massive role in why he decided to step away from MMA.

Harry Kettle - July 27, 2023

Michael Chiesa has rejected a claim from Kevin Lee that he offered to step in and fight him on short notice. After more than 18 months away, Michael Chiesa will return to the Octagon this weekend to face Kevin Holland. He’s currently riding a two-fight losing streak, with his hope being that he can bounce back in Salt Lake City.

Josh Evanoff - July 18, 2023

Former UFC lightweight title challenger Kevin Lee has reflected on his 2020 loss to Charles Oliveira. ‘The Motown Phenom’ announced his retirement following a loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov earlier this month. That was Kevin Lee’s first fight back with the company after a 2021 release, and it’ll be his final. Following the first-round submission defeat, the lightweight contender announced his retirement.

Cole Shelton - July 17, 2023

Kevin Lee has no regrets from his UFC career but does wish a specific fight had gone his way. Lee fought 19 times in the UFC going 11-8 and even fought for the interim lightweight title. However, Lee lost that fight by submission to Tony Ferguson. Although Kevin Lee lost two fights to Al Iaquinta who was his rival, he wishes the Ferguson fight played out much differently.

Susan Cox - July 17, 2023

Kevin Lee is discussing his ‘very hot and cold’ relationship with UFC President, Dana White. ‘The Motown Phenom’ (19-8 MMA) has had a rough go of it as of late, having only won 2 of his last 5 fights in the Octagon. Lee’s most recent loss came earlier this month at UFC Vegas 76 against Rinat Fakhretdinov (21-1 MMA) via way of guillotine choke (see that here).

Susan Cox - July 11, 2023

Kevin Lee has announced his retirement from the UFC. ‘The Motown Phenom’ (18-8 MMA) most recently fought Rinat Fakhretdinov (21-1 MMA) on Saturday July 1st in a welterweight bout. The outcome was a submission win for ‘Gladiator’ at 0:55 of Round 1.

Susan Cox - July 5, 2023

Coach Javier Mendez says he saw ‘warning signs’ ahead of Kevin Lee’s failed comeback at UFC Vegas 76. Kevin Lee (19-8 MMA) returned to the Octagon to face Rinat Fakhretdinov (21-1 MMA) this past Saturday, July 1st at UFC Vegas 76. Unfortunately for Lee, he was defeated by guillotine choke at 00 :55 of Round 1.

Chris Taylor - July 1, 2023

Tonight’s UFC Vegas 76 featured prelim showcased a welterweight bout between Kevin Lee and Rinat Fakhretdinov. Lee (19-8 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since March of 2022, where he scored a decision win over Diego Sanchez under the Eagle FC fight banner. ‘The Motown Phenom’ had gone 3-4 over his past seven fights ahed of tonight’s affair.

Chris Taylor - July 1, 2023

We have you covered for all of tonight’s UFC Vegas 76 results, including the featured prelim between Kevin Lee and Rinat Fakhretdinov. Lee (19-7 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since March of 2022, where he scored a decision win over Diego Sanchez under the Eagle FC fight banner. ‘The Motown Phenom’ has gone 3-4 over his past seven fights overall.

Josh Evanoff - June 29, 2023

UFC welterweight contender Kevin Lee believes the promotion needs to badly leave the Apex. ‘The Motown Phenom’ has been out of action since Eagle FC 46 last March. There, the former lightweight title challenger scored a unanimous decision win over Diego Sanchez, snapping a two-fight losing streak. While Kevin Lee exited the UFC in late 2021, that win over ‘The Nightmare’ was enough to bring him back.

Cole Shelton - June 28, 2023

Kevin Lee believes he is a much different fighter ahead of his UFC return. Lee is set to return to the Octagon at UFC Vegas 76 where he will meet Rinat Fakhretdinov at welterweight. The Michigan native was of course previously let go by the promotions after he lost back-to-back fights to Charles Oliveira and Daniel Rodriguez. After being cut, Kevin Lee signed with Eagle FC and scored a decision win over Diego Sanchez.

Cole Shelton - June 28, 2023

Kevin Lee is not happy to be having his return fight at the UFC Apex. Lee was released from the promotion following his decision loss to Daniel Rodriguez, which marked his second defeat in a row. Although he thought part of his release was due to having the same manager at Francis Ngannou, he ended up signing with Eagle FC and got Ali Abdelaziz to manage him.

Cole Shelton - May 17, 2023

Kevin Lee has his UFC return fight booked. According to MMA Underground’s John Morgan, Lee is set to make his UFC return on July 1 against Rinat Fakhretdinov at welterweight. The event will take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main event of the card sees Sean Strickland taking on Abus Magomedov.

Cole Shelton - February 6, 2023

Kevin Lee is back in the UFC. Lee told ESPN’s Brett Okamoto that he has inked a multi-fight deal with the UFC. He later confirmed the news via text message to BJPENN.com and confirmed he will be competing at welterweight, with his return fight not booked as of now.

Josh Evanoff - January 10, 2023

Kevin Lee believes Jake Paul needs to fight someone like him in the cage to earn respect. ‘The Problem Child’ has been out of action since a decision victory over Anderson Silva in the boxing ring in October. While the fight was the closest of the YouTuber’s career thus far, an eighth-round knockdown for Paul sealed the win. He went on to claim the victory over ‘The Spider’ by unanimous decision.