Kevin Lee Looks to ‘Dominate’ Edson Barboza Then Fight Khabib Nurmagomedov in Russia

Kevin Lee returns back into action at UFC Atlantic City against Edson Barboza, in what is sure to be a wild scrap. Both men will be looking to bounce back after their big losses to elite competition, but Lee doesn’t intend on just stopping there. Kevin Lee reveals the plan is to take care of Barboza in more devastating fashion than both Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson, then fight Nurmagomedov.

“I think me and Khabib [Nurmagomedov] are the fight to make after this. […] I think I’m still the marquee fight in this division for anybody. You know, me and Khabib will sell big, me and Tony [Ferguson] got a rematch that will sell big, me and [Conor] McGregor will sell big. So, it’s a lot of big fights left on the horizon. […] 100 percent after this one, I’ll beat Edson [Barboza] in New Jersey and then I’ll go out there and beat Khabib in Russia. And then, who knows, maybe we’ll throw a stadium show with Conor McGregor in the future in Ireland.”

I actually showed up and made weight through an infection @TeamKhabib. You sign contracts and still find a way to bitch out. FOH https://t.co/WS72wMuXLD

— Kevin MTP Lee (@MoTownPhenom) March 19, 2018

“I think this [fight with Barboza] is actually going to be the toughest fight. I think it’s gonna be the strongest Edson Barboza that we’ve seen. You know, the man has never lost two in a row. I go back and I watch some of his fights, the ones that he lost, when he comes back he kind of has that fire and that extra motivation, so I’m expecting a damn good fight.” […] 100-percent [I want to make a statement]. [Khabib] and Tony both [beat Barboza]. Those are Edson’s two losses and I’m gonna beat him worse than either one of those dudes. […] Domination. I don’t think the man can go 25 minutes with me. I don’t think really, there’s not a lot of men in this world that can, so it’s gonna be domination. I’m saying by three he gets up out of there. But tune into the fight, you’ll see it unfold.” — Kevin Lee speaking to Submission Radio.

This also assumes two things: That Kevin Lee will get past Edson Barboza and that Khabib Nurmagomedov will beat Tony Ferguson at UFC 223. Either way, we’ve got two very interesting lightweight fights which will decide not only who is at the top of the division, but who is just behind them waiting to rise into the championship position themselves. UFC Atlantic City goes down April 21st.

3/22/2018.