January 8, 2025 1:50 pm ET
Kevin Lee was keen to work his approach again to the octagon, however the UFC wasn’t .
Following a noteworthy first stint with the group, Lee (19-8 MMA, 11-8 UFC) re-signed with the UFC in 2023. He was rapidly submitted by Rinat Fakhretdinov in his return, after which introduced his retirement. Simply six months later, nevertheless, he walked back his decision.
“The Motown Phenom” hoped his UFC tenure would proceed, and was even willing to compete on Dana White’s Contender Series – a present for prospects to get a possibility at a UFC contract – to show his price. However regardless of Lee’s earlier success within the octagon, he was denied the chance.
“I actually need to compete,” Lee mentioned on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” “For me, cash isn’t essentially the largest problem. I mentioned I’d take that combat for $5k on Contender Collection, and I’ll combat the perfect contender that they really feel they received on the market. They weren’t fascinated by that. Why? I don’t know. I didn’t have a lot dialog with the UFC apart from Sean Shelby, and he mentioned he wasn’t actually fascinated by doing one thing like that. Once I talked to Ali (Abdelaziz), and he tells me something concerning the UFC, he says they’re not in any respect.
“Why that’s? I couldn’t let you know. I’ve been a part of a number of the largest fights in UFC historical past. I completed off their Fox deal going into the ESPN deal, and I’m a reasonably straightforward man to work with. I really feel like I’m skilled, I do what I must do, and I don’t rub too many individuals the incorrect approach. Why essentially they didn’t need me to go on Contender Collection to indicate that I’m nonetheless one of many high 155 pounders on the market, I don’t know, however I’ll guarantee that this subsequent time, there isn’t a doubt.” Lee’s MMA profession will proceed underneath the World Struggle League (GFL) banner, which formally launches it’s draft on Jan. 24.
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