Report | Kevin Lee’s Return is Close to Finalization

It’s been a rough last couple of months for “the Mo-Town Phenom”. Recent interim title challenger and top 10 lightweight contender, Kevin Lee has suffered two big losses since October. The first being in his shot at interim gold against Tony Ferguson as UFC 216’s headliner, the second being the death of his longtime coach, Robert Follis.

But it wasn’t all bad for Lee who has remained positive and used the experiences to grow and learn and has also joined a big-time management group in Creative Artists Agency(CAA).

And now it looks like he may be getting closer to getting his next fight made official as Ariel Helwani reports that the UFC is targeting a fight between Lee and top 5 lightweight, Edson Barboza.

Atlantic City, Rio and Chicago have all been discussed as possible landing spots.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 22, 2018

UFC is targeting a lightweight fight between Edson Barboza and Kevin Lee, sources say. Close to being finalized. Still up in the air which card it would be on. Could be PPV or a FN main event. Developing.

Atlantic City, Rio and Chicago have all been discussed as possible landing spots.

Helwani mentions three potential locations for the fight but Nolan King also reports Atlantic City specifically.

I've heard this could possibly serve as the UFC Fight Night: Atlantic City main event. Keep your eyes peeled. #UFC https://t.co/kwnumMXwFK

— Nolan King (@mma_kings) February 22, 2018

I’ve heard this could possibly serve as the UFC Fight Night: Atlantic City main event. Keep your eyes peeled

Lee had been clamoring for a fight with the presumably returning Nate Diaz but has since given up on chasing the Stockton native.

In return, dealing with a likely hungry to rebound Barboza will be an equal or greater challenge for Lee.

Barboza’s last time out went about as bad as it possibly could have. He took on the undefeated Sambo nightmare, Khabib Nurmagomedov and was forced to succumb to Khabib’s smothering presence. It was unquestionably the worst loss of Barboza’s career and one that surely will motivate a fighter of his caliber to come back stronger than ever.

Who would you favor in this fight? Is this the right matchup to make for both guys?

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 2/22/2018.