Kevin Lee News

BJ Penn Staff - May 28, 2025

Former UFC star Kevin Lee is set for his debut with the Professional Fighters League (PFL). He will not get a warm welcome. The former UFC star is set to meet Gadzhi Rabadanov in the semifinals of the 2025 PFL lightweight tournament, the promotion announced on May 28. The fight goes down on June 20, less than a month from now. Lee replaces the injured Jay-Jay Wilson, who Rabadanov has already beaten.

BJ Penn Staff - May 20, 2025

Former UFC star Kevin Lee has a new home for the next phase of his MMA career. “The Motown Phenom” has signed a new, multi-fight deal with the PFL (Professional Fighters League). Damon Martin of MMA Fighting was first to report the news.

Harry Kettle - February 7, 2025

The fighter who dropped Kevin Lee in sparring has given his reaction to footage of the incident leaking online. As we all know, the real hard work in the world of mixed martial arts goes on in the gym. While we all get to see what happens inside the cage, there’s an incredible amount of preparation that goes into it behind the scenes. That’s the same for everyone – including former UFC star Kevin Lee.

Cole Shelton - February 5, 2025

Kevin Lee has issued a scathing response after a video of him getting dropped in sparring went viral. A video went viral on X on Wednesday showing Lee attempting to throw a flying knee and then getting dropped. When this happened is uncertain, and how it got out is also unknown, but the clip clearly showed Lee getting dropped and stumbling from the big punch.

Josh Evanoff - January 7, 2025

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.

Harry Kettle - September 28, 2024

Former UFC fighter Kevin Lee wants to have a similar level of success in bare-knuckle MMA that Mike Perry has had in bare-knuckle boxing. This week, Kevin Lee is set to return to active competition at Lights Out Championship 17. Beyond that, he’s also booked to compete for Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA later this year. The ex-UFC contender has been on a rough run of form over the course of the last few years, but his hope is that he’ll eventually be able to work his way back to the big time.

Josh Evanoff - September 19, 2024

Former UFC lightweight title challenger Kevin Lee will return to the cage later this month. ‘The Motown Phenom’ hasn’t competed since his return to the UFC last summer. Last July, Kevin Lee faced the rising Rinat Fakhretdinov, in his first fight in the cage in over a year. However, it didn’t take long for ‘Gladiator’ to score a first-round submission victory. Following the defeat, Lee laid his gloves down and retired.

Cole Shelton - September 17, 2024

Former UFC interim lightweight title challenger Kevin Lee announced his next fight will be in bare-knuckle. Lee took to social media to announce he has signed with Jorge Masvidal’s Gamebred FC promotion. Gamebred FC is a bare-knuckle MMA promotion, and Lee will be making his debut at Gamebred FC 8 on November 15 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.

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.