Former interim UFC title challenger Kevin Lee is making a comeback.
When “The Motown Phenom” had a failed UFC return against Rinat Fakhretdinov back in July 2023, he felt it was the right time to hang up his gloves. Not even a full year later, Lee is having other ideas. The man who once fought Tony Ferguson for the interim UFC Lightweight Championship has announced that he will be making his return to pro MMA competition.
The Grand Rapids native made the announcement on X.
Kevin Lee Comes Out Of Retirement
Here’s what Kevin Lee had to say about making a pro MMA comeback:
I’m coming out of retirement. I’ll fight MMA again. Idk when, where, or who yet but I’m dropping weight and getting into shape now.
— Kevin Lee MTP (@MoTownPhenom) January 31, 2024
I’m gonna get in the best shape of my life that’s my focus right now. It’s been 6 months since I retired and I miss being around the sport
— Kevin Lee MTP (@MoTownPhenom) January 31, 2024
“I’m coming out of retirement,” Lee wrote. “I’ll fight MMA again. Idk when, where, or who yet but I’m dropping weight and getting into shape now. I’m gonna get in the best shape of my life that’s my focus right now. It’s been 6 months since I retired and I miss being around the sport.”
Whether or not Kevin Lee will be returning to the UFC remains to be seen. It’s possible that the UFC either froze his contract, or will allow him to walk if he wasn’t quietly released from the promotion since his last outing. If he is done with the UFC, he likely won’t be short on options outside the promotion, at least on a lower scale. The question at that point would be, does a higher-end promotion such as the PFL come calling?
Kevin Lee’s most recent bout was a scary sight. He was choked out by Fakhretdinov in just 55 seconds and remained unconscious for a while. He had also received a barrage of strikes before the choke. When it was clear that Lee was okay, fight fans went online to call for him to retire. What will the response be when Lee first steps inside the cage again?
