Kevin Lee

Kevin Lee (born September 4, 1992) is an American former professional mixed martial artist who is currently signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighting in the Welterweight Division. He formerly competed in the Lightweight and Super Lightweight divisions of the UFC and Eagle Fighting Championship (EFC), respectively. In 2017 he fought for the UFC Interim Lightweight Championship.

Background

Lee was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on September 4, 1992, and raised in Detroit, Michigan. Lee has a sister and two younger brothers, one of whom is Keith, also a professional mixed martial artist previously signed to Bellator who trained with Kevin previously at Xtreme Couture and is currently with Tristar.

He competed in basketball growing up and began wrestling during his junior year at Southfield High School. Lee continued his wrestling career at Grand Valley State University, where he was a national tournament qualifier and went 37–0 as a sophomore. However, with two years left of wrestling eligibility at the school, Lee dropped out to focus on a career in mixed martial arts.

Mixed martial arts career

Ultimate Fighting Championship

2014

Lee made his promotional debut against Al Iaquinta on February 1, 2014, at UFC 169. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. After the loss, Lee moved from his native Michigan to Las Vegas, searching for improvements to his game.

At The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale on July 6, 2014, Lee got his first win for the promotion when he defeated Jesse Ronson by split decision.

Lee faced Jon Tuck at UFC 178 on September 27, 2014. Lee won the fight via unanimous decision.

2015

Lee faced Michel Prazeres on February 14, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 60. Lee won the fight by unanimous decision.

Lee next faced James Moontasri on July 15, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 71. Lee won the fight via first round submission.

Lee faced Leonardo Santos on December 12, 2015, at UFC 194. Lee lost the fight via TKO in the first round.

2016

Lee next faced Efrain Escudero on April 23, 2016, at UFC 197. Lee won the fight via unanimous decision.

Lee next faced Jake Matthews on July 8, 2016, at The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale. Lee won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Lee faced Magomed Mustafaev at UFC Fight Night 99 on November 19, 2016. He won the fight via submission in the second round. The win earned Lee his first Performance of the Night bonus award.

2017

Lee faced Francisco Trinaldo on March 11, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 106. After a back-and-forth first round, Lee won the fight via submission in the second round.

Lee faced Michael Chiesa on June 25, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 112. He won the fight via submission at the end of the first round. The win also earned Lee his second Performance of the Night bonus award. Chiesa appealed to the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission to overturn the defeat, claiming referee Mario Yamasaki erred both in stopping the fight despite no tapout nor loss of consciousness and in allowing Lee to use illegal downward elbows, which cut his head.

Lee fought Tony Ferguson on October 7, 2017, at UFC 216 for the interim UFC Lightweight Championship. Despite starting off strong, Lee lost the fight by submission in the third round.

2018

Lee fought Edson Barboza on April 21, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 128. At the weigh-ins, Lee weighed in at 157 pounds, one pound over the lightweight non-title fight upper limit of 156 pounds. As a result, the bout proceeded at catchweight and Lee was fined 20% of his purse which went to Barboza. Lee was rocked badly by a spinning heel kick, and was nearly finished by Barboza in the third round, but rallied back and defeated Barboza via TKO after the ringside doctor stopped the bout due to a cut suffered by Barboza in round five.

Lee faced Al Iaquinta in a rematch on December 15, 2018, at UFC on Fox 31. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

2019

Lee moved up to welterweight to face Rafael dos Anjos in the main event of UFC on ESPN+ 10 on May 18, 2019. He lost the fight via an arm triangle submission in the fourth round.

In September 2019, Lee announced he would be returning to the lightweight division.

Lee faced undefeated prospect Gregor Gillespie on November 2, 2019, at UFC 244. Lee won the fight via knockout in the first round. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

2020

Lee faced Charles Oliveira on March 14, 2020, as the main event at UFC Fight Night 170. At the weigh-ins, Lee weighed in at 158.5 lbs, 2.5 lbs over the lightweight non-title fight limit of 156 pounds. Lee was fined 20% of his purse and his bout with Oliveira was expected to proceed as scheduled at a catchweight. Lee lost the fight via submission with a guillotine choke in the third round.

2021

Lee was scheduled to face Sean Brady on July 10, 2021, at UFC 264. However, Lee withdrew due to injury and the bout was rescheduled to UFC on ESPN 30 on August 28, 2021. Subsequently, the bout was yet again canceled after Brady withdrew due to a foot infection. Brady was replaced by Daniel Rodriguez on August 28, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 30. On his return to welterweight, Lee lost the fight via unanimous decision. Subsequently, Lee tested positive for Adderall and was suspended for six months, making him eligible to return into competition on February 28, 2022. In an interview, Lee stated that he thought the drug would be out of his system soon enough, which is why he didn't apply for therapeutic-use exemption regarding his medication for recently diagnosed ADHD.

On November 30, 2021, it was announced that Lee was released from the UFC.

Eagle Fighting Championship

On December 15, 2021, it was announced that Lee signed a 4-fight contract with Eagle FC.

Lee made his debut against Diego Sanchez in a 165 lbs bout on March 11, 2022, at Eagle FC 46. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Return to UFC

In early-February 2023, it was reported that Lee had re-signed with the UFC.

Lee made his promotional return against Rinat Fakhretdinov on July 1, 2023 at UFC on ESPN 48. He lost the fight via technical submission due to a guillotine choke within the opening minute.

On July 11, 2023, Lee announced that he was retiring from MMA. He expressed grievance with his MMA career by saying "it kind of sucks being famous but not being rich".

Personal life

Lee converted to Islam in October 2021. He has a son (born 2022). Lee endorsed Bernie Sanders in the 2020 presidential election, speaking at a rally for Sanders in Las Vegas in December 2019.

Championships and accomplishments

• Total Warrior Combat
  • TWC Lightweight Championship (One time)
• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Performance of the Night (Three times) vs. Magomed Mustafaev, Michael Chiesa, and Gregor Gillespie

Mixed martial arts record

Pay-per-view bouts

See also

• List of male mixed martial artists

References

External links

• Professional MMA record for Kevin Lee from Sherdog
• Kevin Lee at UFC