Former UFC interim title challenger Kevin Lee is willing to fight on the Contender Series to try and get back in the UFC.
Lee last fought in July of 2023. There, he suffered a 55-second submission loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov at UFC Vegas 76. It was his return to the Octagon, and after the loss, he was released from the promotion.
Now, as Lee has yet to fight again, he is hoping to earn his way back into the UFC by winning on the Contender Series.
âMy real love is MMA. I want to compete again and just to show how serious I am. I even told Sean Shelby that Iâm willing to go on Dana Whiteâs Contender Series to show how serious I am about competing on a high level. This next fight will be not about money or anything else, but to show that I can compete and my body can hold up against the tension Iâm putting it under,â Lee said on the Anik & Floridan Podcast.
UFC shot Kevin Leeâs idea down
It is interesting that Kevin Lee would want to compete on the Contender Series to prove he belongs in the UFC. He even talks to the UFC execs about it, but they shut that idea down.
âHe said no but I was willing to do it. Itâs five thousand flat, thatâs all you get. For five thousand bucks, weâre losing money. But Iâm still willing to do it,â Lee added.
With the UFC not wanting Kevin Lee to fight on the Contender Series itâs uncertain if the promotion will bring him back. For now, Lee is a free agent and is looking to fight again soon to resume his career.
Lee is 19-8 as a pro and is 12-8 in the UFC. He fought Tony Ferguson for the interim lightweight title back in 2017. In his career, Lee has notable wins over Edson Barboza, Michael Chiesa, and Gregor Gillespie among others.
He should look for a new career.
isnât DWCC at the apex ?
Good ?
I was just thinking that they should have a spinoff of contender series that is all âloser leaves town matchesâ or a tournament for cut fighters to earn another shot
Loser leaves town is a fun idea. One of many possible themes they could do to spice up otherwise vanilla Fight Nights.
As for Lee, why would they bring a guy they just cut to a show meant for prospects? Get some regional fights in and pad your record until they come calling.
Watching Kevinâs head absorb punches is the last thing that keeps me interested in mma
Iâm down to see him get whooped by some scrub
If he is trying so hard to get back to the UFC, why hasnât he fought in over a year?
Kevin Lee kinda sounds like the Waterboy Bobby Bouchee when he talks.
My head is fucked. I had to read your post like ten times to make sure it didnt say, âwhooped by some Schaub.â
Fuck my life. Daaaaddy
I donât understand the logic. If Kevin Lee beats his opponent wouldnât it mean the opponent isnât ready for the UFC? How does it prove Kevin Lee is now good enough to re-enter?
Best i can do is Powerslap
-probably Dana