Kevin Lee reveals UFC shot down offer to compete on Dana White’s Contender Series: “He wasn’t really interested”

Former UFC lightweight title challenger Kevin Lee has opened up on his MMA comeback.

‘The Motown Phenom’ famously retired from fighting following a first-round submission loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov in July 2023. Just one fight into his second stint with the UFC, Kevin Lee decided to hang up the gloves for good. However, like many, many retirements in MMA, this one didn’t stick. Just months after retiring, Lee announced plans for a comeback.

However, he seemingly became a free agent following his announced retirement. Kevin Lee quickly signaled interest in a third stint with the UFC, even offering to earn his way through the Dana White Contender Series. While that show is largely reserved for young talent on the rise, the 32-year-old would fight there if needed.

However, the former UFC title challenger’s offer went unheard. He competed at Lights Out Championship in September, scoring a submission win over Thiago Oliveira. Late last year, Kevin Lee was announced as one of the many signings to the newly founded Global Fight League promotion. Speaking on Ariel Helwani’s podcast earlier today, ‘The Motown Phenom’ discussed his decision to sign.

RELATED: FORMER UFC CHAMPION CAIN VELASQUEZ SIGNS WITH GLOBAL FIGHT LEAGUE AS TEAM MANAGER

“I didn’t have much conversation with the UFC, besides Sean Shelby, and he said he wasn’t really interested… Why that is? I couldn’t tell you.”

Kevin Lee on trying to get a fight on Dana White’s Contender Series. pic.twitter.com/yfBrG0oNFX

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) January 7, 2025

Kevin Lee reveals UFC and Sean Shelby rejected an offer to compete in Contender Series

There, Kevin Lee revealed that he spoke with UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby about a potential return. However, the organization wasn’t very interested in re-signing the 32-year-old former title challenger. Even though Lee was willing to fight in Dana White’s Contender Series, the promotion still passed.

“I really want to compete, you know?” Kevin Lee stated, when asked about talks with the UFC. “Money isn’t really the biggest issue, I said I would take a fight for $5,000 on the Contender Series. I’ll fight the best contender they feel like they have out there. They weren’t interested in that, why, I don’t know. Honestly, I didn’t have much conversation with the UFC besides Sean Shelby.”

He continued, “He said he wasn’t really interested in doing something like that. When I talked to Ali [Abdelaziz], Ali tells me anything about the UFC, and he told me they weren’t interested at all. Why that is? I couldn’t tell you. I’ve been part of some of the biggest fights in UFC history, I’ve finished off their Fox deal going into their ESPN deal, and I feel like I’m a pretty easy guy to work with… I don’t know. But I’ll make sure this next time, there is no doubt.”

What do you make of these comments from Kevin Lee? Do you want to see ‘The Motown Phenom’ return to the UFC?