American mixed martial artist (born 1992)
Kevin Jeese Lee Jr. [ 6] (born September 4, 1992) is an American professional mixed martial artist . He formerly competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighting in the Welterweight Division. He also 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 .[ 7] [ 1] [ 8] [ 9] [ 10]
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 .[ 11]
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.[ 12] After the loss, Lee moved from his native Michigan to Las Vegas, searching for improvements to his game.[ 13]
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.[ 14]
Lee faced Jon Tuck at UFC 178 on September 27, 2014.[ 15] Lee won the fight via unanimous decision.
2015
Lee faced Michel Prazeres on February 14, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 60 .[ 16] Lee won the fight by unanimous decision.[ 17]
Lee next faced James Moontasri on July 15, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 71 .[ 18] Lee won the fight via first round submission.[ 19]
Lee faced Leonardo Santos on December 12, 2015, at UFC 194 .[ 20] Lee lost the fight via TKO in the first round.[ 21]
2016
Lee next faced Efrain Escudero on April 23, 2016, at UFC 197 .[ 22] Lee won the fight via unanimous decision.[ 23]
Lee next faced Jake Matthews on July 8, 2016, at The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale .[ 24] Lee won the fight via TKO in the first round.[ 25]
Lee faced Magomed Mustafaev at UFC Fight Night 99 on November 19, 2016.[ 26] He won the fight via submission in the second round.[ 27] The win earned Lee his first Performance of the Night bonus award.[ 28]
2017
Lee faced Francisco Trinaldo on March 11, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 106 .[ 29] After a back-and-forth first round, Lee won the fight via submission in the second round.[ 30]
Lee faced Michael Chiesa on June 25, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 112 .[ 31] He won the fight via submission at the end of the first round.[ 32] The win also earned Lee his second Performance of the Night bonus award.[ 33] 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.[ 34]
Lee fought Tony Ferguson on October 7, 2017, at UFC 216 for the interim UFC Lightweight Championship .[ 35] [ 36] Despite starting off strong, Lee lost the fight by submission in the third round.[ 37]
2018
Lee fought Edson Barboza on April 21, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 128 .[ 38] 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.[ 39] 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.[ 40]
Lee faced Al Iaquinta in a rematch on December 15, 2018, at UFC on Fox 31 .[ 41] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[ 42]
2019
Lee moved up to welterweight to face Rafael dos Anjos in the main event of UFC on ESPN+ 10 on May 18, 2019.[ 43] He lost the fight via an arm triangle submission in the fourth round.[ 44]
In September 2019, Lee announced he would be returning to the lightweight division.[ 45]
Lee faced undefeated prospect Gregor Gillespie on November 2, 2019, at UFC 244 .[ 46] Lee won the fight via knockout in the first round.[ 47] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[ 48]
2020
Lee faced Charles Oliveira on March 14, 2020, as the main event at UFC Fight Night 170 .[ 49] 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.[ 50] Lee lost the fight via submission with a guillotine choke in the third round.[ 51]
2021
Lee was scheduled to face Sean Brady on July 10, 2021, at UFC 264 .[ 52] However, Lee withdrew due to injury and the bout was rescheduled to UFC on ESPN 30 on August 28, 2021.[ 53] Subsequently, the bout was yet again canceled after Brady withdrew due to a foot infection.[ 54] [ 55] Brady was replaced by Daniel Rodriguez on August 28, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 30 .[ 56] On his return to welterweight, Lee lost the fight via unanimous decision.[ 57] Subsequently, Lee tested positive for Adderall and was suspended for six months, making him eligible to return into competition on February 28, 2022.[ 58] [ 59] 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 .[ 60]
On November 30, 2021, it was announced that Lee was released from the UFC.[ 61]
Eagle Fighting Championship
On December 15, 2021, it was announced that Lee signed a four-fight contract with Eagle FC .[ 62]
Lee made his debut against Diego Sanchez in a 165 lbs bout on March 11, 2022, at Eagle FC 46 .[ 63] [ 64] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[ 65]
Return to UFC
In early-February 2023, it was reported that Lee had re-signed with the UFC.[ 66]
Lee made his promotional return against Rinat Fakhretdinov on July 1, 2023 at UFC on ESPN 48 .[ 67] He lost the fight via technical submission due to a guillotine choke within the opening minute.[ 68]
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".[ 69] [ 70]
Return to MMA
Lee made his return to mixed martial arts on September 28, 2024, at Lights Out Championship 17 against Thiago Oliveira in a welterweight bout.[ 71] He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.[ 72]
Lee was scheduled to make his bare-knuckle debut against Saul Almeida on November 15, 2024 at Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 8 .[ 73] However, the fight was ultimately canceled without explanation.[ 74]
Global Fight League
On December 11, 2024, it was announced that Lee was signed by Global Fight League .[ 75]
Professional grappling career
Lee was scheduled to face Chad Mendes at ADXC 5 on August 3, 2024.[ 76] He withdrew from the match on short notice and was replaced by Diego Brandão .[ 77]
Personal life
Lee converted to Islam in October 2021.[ 78] [ 79] He has a son (born 2022).[ 80] Lee endorsed Bernie Sanders in the 2020 presidential election , speaking at a rally for Sanders in Las Vegas in December 2019.[ 81] [ 82]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
28 matches
20 wins
8 losses
By knockout
3
1
By submission
9
4
By decision
8
3
Res.
Record
Opponent
Method
Event
Date
Round
Time
Location
Notes
Win
20–8
Thiago Oliveira
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Lights Out Championship 17
September 28, 2024
1
1:58
Wayne, Michigan , United States
Loss
19–8
Rinat Fakhretdinov
Technical Submission (guillotine choke)
UFC on ESPN: Strickland vs. Magomedov
July 1, 2023
1
0:55
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Win
19–7
Diego Sanchez
Decision (unanimous)
Eagle FC 46
March 11, 2022
3
5:00
Miami, Florida , United States
Super Lightweight (165 lb) bout.
Loss
18–7
Daniel Rodriguez
Decision (unanimous)
UFC on ESPN: Barboza vs. Chikadze
August 28, 2021
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Return to Welterweight. Lee tested positive for adderall.
Loss
18–6
Charles Oliveira
Submission (guillotine choke)
UFC Fight Night: Lee vs. Oliveira
March 14, 2020
3
0:28
Brasília , Brazil
Catchweight (158.5 lb) bout; Lee missed weight.
Win
18–5
Gregor Gillespie
KO (head kick)
UFC 244
November 2, 2019
1
2:47
New York City, New York , United States
Return to Lightweight. Performance of the Night.
Loss
17–5
Rafael dos Anjos
Submission (arm-triangle choke)
UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. Lee
May 18, 2019
4
3:47
Rochester, New York , United States
Welterweight debut.
Loss
17–4
Al Iaquinta
Decision (unanimous)
UFC on Fox: Lee vs. Iaquinta 2
December 15, 2018
5
5:00
Milwaukee, Wisconsin , United States
Win
17–3
Edson Barboza
TKO (doctor stoppage)
UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Lee
April 21, 2018
5
2:18
Atlantic City, New Jersey , United States
Catchweight (157 lb) bout; Lee missed weight.
Loss
16–3
Tony Ferguson
Submission (triangle choke)
UFC 216
October 7, 2017
3
4:02
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
For the interim UFC Lightweight Championship .
Win
16–2
Michael Chiesa
Technical Submission (rear-naked choke)
UFC Fight Night: Chiesa vs. Lee
June 25, 2017
1
4:37
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma , United States
Performance of the Night.
Win
15–2
Francisco Trinaldo
Submission (rear-naked choke)
UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Gastelum
March 11, 2017
2
3:12
Fortaleza , Brazil
Win
14–2
Magomed Mustafaev
Technical Submission (rear-naked choke)
UFC Fight Night: Mousasi vs. Hall 2
November 19, 2016
2
4:31
Belfast , Northern Ireland
Performance of the Night.
Win
13–2
Jake Matthews
TKO (punches)
The Ultimate Fighter: Team Joanna vs. Team Cláudia Finale
July 8, 2016
1
4:06
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Win
12–2
Efrain Escudero
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 197
April 23, 2016
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Loss
11–2
Leonardo Santos
TKO (punches)
UFC 194
December 12, 2015
1
3:26
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Win
11–1
James Moontasri
Submission (rear-naked choke)
UFC Fight Night: Mir vs. Duffee
July 15, 2015
1
2:56
San Diego, California , United States
Win
10–1
Michel Prazeres
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Thatch
February 14, 2015
3
5:00
Broomfield, Colorado , United States
Win
9–1
Jon Tuck
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 178
September 27, 2014
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Tuck was deducted one point for a groin kick.
Win
8–1
Jesse Ronson
Decision (split)
The Ultimate Fighter: Team Edgar vs. Team Penn Finale
July 6, 2014
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Loss
7–1
Al Iaquinta
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 169
February 1, 2014
3
5:00
Newark, New Jersey , United States
Win
7–0
Eric Moon
Submission (standing guillotine choke)
TWC 20: Final Cut
November 16, 2013
1
1:24
Lansing, Michigan , United States
Won the TWC Lightweight Championship.
Win
6–0
Travis Gervais
Submission (armbar)
Canadian Fighting Championship 8
September 13, 2013
1
0:46
Winnipeg, Manitoba , Canada
Catchweight (160 lb) bout.
Win
5–0
Joseph Lile
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Midwest Fight Series 5
July 19, 2013
3
1:29
Indianapolis, Indiana , United States
Catchweight (157 lb) bout; Lee missed weight.
Win
4–0
Kyle Prepolec
Submission (guillotine choke)
Michiana Fight League
April 13, 2013
2
2:17
South Bend, Indiana , United States
Catchweight (158 lb) bout; both fighters missed weight.
Win
3–0
J. P. Reese
Decision (unanimous)
IFL 51: No Guts, No Glory
November 17, 2012
3
5:00
Auburn Hills, Michigan , United States
Win
2–0
Mansour Barnaoui
Decision (unanimous)
Instinct MMA: Instinct Fighting 4
June 29, 2012
3
5:00
Montreal , Quebec , Canada
Win
1–0
Levis Labrie
Decision (unanimous)
Instinct MMA: Instinct Fighting 3
March 31, 2012
3
5:00
Sherbrooke, Quebec , Canada
[ 1]
Pay-per-view bouts
See also
References
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^ "Kevin Lee was Heel Hooked by Charles Oliveira: '3 Knee Surgeries & Still Recovering 4 yrs Later' " . February 22, 2024.
^ "My rolling group today, I got all beat up and stuff. (I'm the purple belt)" . March 2018.
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^ "Photos- The Kevin Lee Story" . www.mmaindia.com . February 27, 2018. Retrieved October 21, 2024 .
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^ Nolan King (September 10, 2020). "Inspired by brother Kevin's success, Bellator 245's Keith Lee promises to make his own name" . MMAjunkie.com .
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^ a b Staff (November 19, 2016). "UFC Fight Night 99 bonuses: With no 'Fight of the Night,' which 4 fighters took home $50,000?" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved November 20, 2016 .
^ Tristen Critchfield (January 26, 2017). "Lightweights Francisco Trinaldo, Kevin Lee to Meet at UFC Fight Night 106 in Brazil" . sherdog.com. Retrieved January 26, 2017 .
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^ a b "UFC Fight Night 112 bonuses: Controversy in main event, but Kevin Lee still gets $50,000" . MMAjunkie . June 26, 2017. Retrieved June 26, 2017 .
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^ "Kevin Lee Says UFC Rankings Don't Mean Sh-t | Fightful MMA" . www.fightful.com . Retrieved September 29, 2017 .
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^ a b Jon Fuentes (November 3, 2019). "UFC 244 Bonuses, Attendance & Gate" . lowKickmma.com. Retrieved November 3, 2019 .
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^ Behunin, Alex (August 11, 2021). "Kevin Lee Gets New Opponent For August 28, Daniel Rodriguez" . Cageside Press . cagesidepress.com. Retrieved August 11, 2021 .
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^ Harkness, Ryan (July 11, 2023). "Kevin Lee announces retirement after losing UFC comeback" . MMAmania.com . Retrieved July 11, 2023 .
^ "Kevin Lee holds no ill will towards UFC but 'it kind of sucks being famous but not being rich' " . March 9, 2022.
^ Nolan King (September 18, 2024). "Kevin Lee books first fight since UFC departure, homecoming for Lights Out Championship" . mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved September 18, 2024 .
^ Mike Bohn (September 29, 2024). "Video: UFC veteran Kevin Lee returns to win column with quick submission at Lights Out 17" . mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved September 29, 2024 .
^ Mike Heck (September 24, 2024). "Kevin Lee's opponent revealed for Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 8" . mmafighting.com. Retrieved September 24, 2024 .
^ "Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA: Costa vs. Davis" . Tapology.com . December 2, 2024.
^ "Global Fight League reveals massive list of signings, including 8 ex-UFC champs, for new team-based MMA organization" . Yahoo Sports . December 11, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024 .
^ "Stacked Card Finalised For ADXC 5" . Jitsmagazine . July 16, 2024. Retrieved July 31, 2024 .
^ "ADXC 5 Full Results And Review" . Jitsmagazine . Retrieved August 16, 2024 .
^ The SportsGrail (January 14, 2023). "Ex-UFC fighter Kevin Lee changes religion as he becomes a Muslim by converting to Islam" . The SportsGrail . Retrieved May 27, 2023 .
^ Fatima, Sakina (January 10, 2023). "Former UFC fighter Kevin Lee converts to Islam" . The Siasat Daily . Retrieved May 27, 2023 .
^ "Does He Have Wife? Family" .
^ Martin, Damon (February 2, 2020). "Kevin Lee unafraid to show support for Bernie Sanders regardless of political blowback from fans or fighters" . MMA Fighting . Retrieved October 15, 2021 .
^ Raja, Badar (December 23, 2019). "UFC's Kevin Lee endorses Bernie Sanders at Las Vegas rally" . Bloody Elbow . Retrieved October 15, 2021 .
^ "UFC 216: Ferguson vs. Lee | MMA Event" . Tapology .
External links