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.
Kevin Lee | |
---|---|
Born | Kevin Jeese Lee Jr. September 4, 1992 Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S. |
Nickname | The Motown Phenom |
Residence | Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
Weight | 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb)[1] |
Division | Welterweight (2019, 2021–2023) Lightweight (2012–2018, 2019–2020) Super lightweight (2022) |
Reach | 77 in (196 cm) |
Stance | Orthodox |
Fighting out of | Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.[2] |
Team | Xtreme Couture (2012–2019) Tristar Gym (2019–present) |
Trainer | Dewey Cooper (2012–2023)
Firas Zahabi (2019–2023) |
Rank | blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu[3][4] |
Wrestling | NCWA Wrestling[2][5] |
Years active | 2012–2023 |
Mixed martial arts record | |
Total | 28 |
Wins | 20 |
By knockout | 3 |
By submission | 9 |
By decision | 8 |
Losses | 8 |
By knockout | 1 |
By submission | 4 |
By decision | 3 |
Website | kevinleemma |
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog |
Background
editLee 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
editUltimate Fighting Championship
edit2014
editLee 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
editLee 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
editLee 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
editLee 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
editLee 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
editLee 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
editLee 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
editLee 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
editOn 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
editIn 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
editLee 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 submission in the first round.[72]
Lee was scheduled to face Saul Almeida on November 15, 2024 at Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 8.[73]
Professional grappling career
editLee was scheduled to face Chad Mendes at ADXC 5 on August 3, 2024.[74] He withdrew from the match on short notice and was replaced by Diego Brandão.[75]
Personal life
editLee converted to Islam in October 2021.[76][77] He has a son (born 2022).[78] Lee endorsed Bernie Sanders in the 2020 presidential election, speaking at a rally for Sanders in Las Vegas in December 2019.[79][80]
Championships and accomplishments
edit- 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[28][33][48]
Mixed martial arts record
edit28 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saul Almeida | Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 8 | November 15, 2024 | Biloxi, Mississippi, United States | Bare knuckle MMA. | |||||
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 |
Pay-per-view bouts
editNo | Event | Fight | Date | Venue | City | PPV buys |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | UFC 216 | Ferguson vs. Lee | October 7, 2017 | T-Mobile Arena | Paradise, Nevada, United States | 200,000[81] |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Kevin "The Motown Phenom" Lee". Sherdog. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
- ^ a b "Kevin Lee - Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Dan Tom (April 17, 2018). "UFC Fight Night 128 main-event breakdown: The Kevin Lee tool that could foil Edson Barboza". MMAjunkie.com.
- ^ "Photos- The Kevin Lee Story". www.mmaindia.com. February 27, 2018. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
- ^ "Keith Lee ("Killa") | MMA Fighter Page".
- ^ Farah Hannoun (November 13, 2019). "Off Guard: Keith Lee eager to fight, says training with Firas Zahabi made a huge impact". mmajunkie.com.
- ^ Danny Segura (January 20, 2020). "Keith Lee, Kevin Lee's brother, signs multi-fight Bellator deal, debut set". mmajunkie.com.
- ^ Nolan King (September 10, 2020). "Inspired by brother Kevin's success, Bellator 245's Keith Lee promises to make his own name". MMAjunkie.com.
- ^ Staff (April 18, 2013). "Fight Path: Chance encounter with GSP helped fuel undefeated Kevin Lee". MMA Junkie.
- ^ Dave Doyle (February 1, 2014). "UFC 169 results: Al Iaquinta wins entertaining scrap against Kevin Lee". mmafighting.com. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
- ^ Amber Dixon (June 8, 2018). "UFC's Kevin Lee headlines first fight June 25". news3lv.com.
- ^ "TUF 19 Finale results, photos: Kevin Lee takes split decision from Jesse Ronson". mmajunkie.com. July 6, 2014.
- ^ "Kevin Lee – Jon Tuck To Meet At UFC 178". mmafrenzy.com. July 31, 2014.
- ^ Jason Floyd (January 1, 2015). "Three fights made official for UFC Fight Night 60". themmareport.com. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
- ^ Damon Martin (February 14, 2015). "Kevin Lee pushes past Michel Prazeres for 3rd straight win". foxsports.com. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
- ^ Tristen Critchfield (April 25, 2015). "Kevin Lee vs. James Moontasri added to UFC Fight Night in San Diego". sherdog.com. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
- ^ Dann Stupp (July 15, 2015). "UFC Fight Night 71 results: Kevin Lee submits James Moontasri with first-round choke". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
- ^ Adam Hill (August 21, 2015). "Streaking lightweights meet at UFC 194". reviewjournal.com. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
- ^ Brent Brookhouse (December 12, 2015). "UFC 194 results: Heavy underdog Leonardo Santos stops Kevin Lee with first-round TKO". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- ^ Staff (February 18, 2016). "Efrain Escudero vs. Kevin Lee added to UFC 197 lineup". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
- ^ Ben Fowlkes (April 23, 2016). "UFC 197 results: Kevin Lee outworks 'TUF' winner Efrain Escudero for decision win". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
- ^ Shaun Al-Shatti (June 2, 2016). "Stevie Ray out, Kevin Lee in against Jake Matthews at TUF 23 Finale". mmafighting.com. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
- ^ Brent Brookhouse (July 8, 2016). "TUF 23 Finale Results: Kevin Lee storms past Jake Matthews with brutal ground assault". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ Staff (October 1, 2016). "Kevin Lee says he's fighting Magomed Mustafaev at UFC Fight Night 99 in Belfast". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
- ^ Dann Stupp (November 19, 2016). "UFC Fight Night 99 results: Kevin Lee submits Magomed Mustafaev, calls out division". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Steven Marrocco (March 11, 2017). "UFC Fight Night 106 results: Kevin Lee stuns Brazilian fans, taps out Francisco Trinaldo". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
- ^ Marc Raimondi (March 30, 2017). "Michael Chiesa returns to face Kevin Lee in UFC Fight Night 112 main event". mmafighting.com. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
- ^ "UFC Fight Night 112 results: Kevin Lee defeats Michael Chiesa after controversial 1st-round stoppage". MMAjunkie. June 26, 2017. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Michael Chiesa Appeals UFC Fight Night 112 Loss to Kevin Lee, Cites 'Referee Error'". Sherdog. June 29, 2017.
- ^ Tristen Critchfield (August 15, 2017). "Tony Ferguson, Kevin Lee to clash for Interim Lightweight Title at UFC 216 on Oct. 7". sherdog.com. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
- ^ "Kevin Lee Says UFC Rankings Don't Mean Sh-t | Fightful MMA". www.fightful.com. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
- ^ "UFC 216 results: Tony Ferguson submits Kevin Lee, claims interim lightweight belt". MMA Fighting. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
- ^ Ariel Helwani (February 23, 2018). "Edson Barboza vs. Kevin Lee slated for UFC Fight Night Atlantic City main event". mmafighting.com. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
- ^ "Kevin Lee misses weight for UFC Atlantic City main event bout with Edson Barboza". MMA Fighting. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
- ^ "UFC Fight Night 128 Results, Kevin Lee Dominates Edson Barboza for TKO win". April 22, 2018.
- ^ "UFC announces main fight between Kevin Lee vs Al Iaquinta for Dec. 15 card at Fiserv Forum". amp.jsonline.com.
- ^ Doyle, Dave (December 15, 2018). "UFC on FOX 31 results: Al Iaquinta edges Kevin Lee in grueling main event". MMA Fighting. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
- ^ "UFC on ESPN+ 10 gets Rafael dos Anjos vs. Kevin Lee welterweight main event". mmajunkie.com. March 20, 2019. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
- ^ Doherty, Dan (May 18, 2019). "UFC Rochester Results: Rafael dos Anjos Submits Kevin Lee in Grueling Contest". Cageside Press. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
- ^ "Morning Report: Kevin Lee returning to lightweight, eyeing fight with 'the next Khabib,' Islam Makhachev". MMAFighting.com. September 13, 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
- ^ Farah Hannoun (September 30, 2019). "Kevin Lee vs. Gregor Gillespie targeted for UFC 244 in New York". MMAJunkie.com. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
- ^ Richardson, Andrew (November 2, 2019). "Lee Knocks Gillespie Out With Huge High Kick!". MMAmania.com. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
- ^ a b Jon Fuentes (November 3, 2019). "UFC 244 Bonuses, Attendance & Gate". lowKickmma.com. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
- ^ Guilherme Cruz and Damon Martin (January 14, 2020). "Kevin Lee vs. Charles Oliveira set to headline UFC Brasilia in March". mmafighting.com. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
- ^ Mike Bohn (March 13, 2020). "UFC on ESPN+ 28 weigh-in results: Kevin Lee misses weight". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
- ^ "Oliveira submits Lee in 3rd at empty Brazil arena". ESPN.com. March 15, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
- ^ "Kevin Lee makes welterweight return at UFC 264 against Sean Brady". MMA Junkie. May 23, 2021. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
- ^ Damon Martin and Mike Heck (June 24, 2021). "Kevin Lee injured, out of upcoming fight against Sean Brady at UFC 264". mmafighting.com. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
- ^ Nolan King and Farrah Hannoun (August 7, 2021). "Sean Brady out of UFC on ESPN 30; Kevin Lee fight canceled for second time". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
- ^ Mike Heck and MMA Fighting Newswire (August 7, 2021). "Foot infection scratches Sean Brady from UFC Vegas 35, Kevin Lee needs opponent". mmafighting.com. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
- ^ Behunin, Alex (August 11, 2021). "Kevin Lee Gets New Opponent For August 28, Daniel Rodriguez". Cageside Press. cagesidepress.com. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
- ^ Doherty, Dan (August 28, 2021). "UFC Vegas 35 Results: Daniel Rodriguez Strikes Way to Decision Over Kevin Lee". Cageside Press. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
- ^ Shaun Al-Shatti (October 20, 2021). "UFC's Kevin Lee gets temporary suspension for positive test for banned stimulant". mmafighting.com.
- ^ "Kevin Lee reaches settlement deal with NAC, suspended after positive drug test for ADHD meds". MMA Junkie. November 17, 2021. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
- ^ Alexander K. Lee (October 25, 2021). "Kevin Lee regrets not applying for exemption to avoid Adderall suspension: 'I'm still kicking myself in the ass over it'". mmafighting.com.
- ^ Cruz, Guilherme (November 30, 2021). "UFC releases one-time interim lightweight title challenger Kevin Lee". MMA Fighting. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
- ^ Martin, Damon (December 15, 2021). "Former UFC fighter Kevin Lee signs with Khabib Nurmagomedov's Eagle FC". MMA Fighting. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
- ^ "Kevin Lee vs. Diego Sanchez targeted to fight at Eagle FC event on March 11". MMA Junkie. December 25, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
- ^ Holland, Jesse (January 7, 2022). "Eagle FC odds: Kevin Lee opens as massive betting favorite over Diego Sanchez". MMAmania.com. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
- ^ "Eagle FC 46 results: Kevin Lee powers through leg injury, defeats Diego Sanchez via decision". MMA Junkie. March 12, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
- ^ Riggs, Drake (February 6, 2023). "Kevin Lee headed back to UFC, signs exclusive deal". MMAmania.com. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- ^ "Kevin Lee gets first assignment in UFC return, meets Rinat Fakhretdinov July 1". MMA Junkie. May 18, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
- ^ Martin, Damon (July 1, 2023). "UFC Vegas 76 video: Rinat Fakhretdinov spoils Kevin Lee's return, sleeps him with nasty guillotine in just 55 seconds, subsequently he was released from UFC again". MMA Fighting. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.