Former light-weight (and later welterweight) contender Kevin Lee has rejoined the UFC.
Information of Lee (19-7) re-signing with the promotion after a short absence was first reported by ESPN, following the “Motown Phenom” teasing the likelihood.
Lee made his exit from the UFC in late 2021, off the again of a two-fight skid and having misplaced 4 of his previous 5 fights. It was a surprising fall from grace for a fighter who as soon as confronted Tony Ferguson for interim gold, at UFC 216 in 2017.
Forward of the Ferguson struggle, Lee had gained 5 straight towards stable competitors, however would battle to search out consistency transferring ahead. To complicate issues, he failed a drug check following his last UFC bout, towards Daniel Rodriguez in August 2021, testing optimistic for Adderall.
It later got here to gentle that Lee had been prescribed the remedy to deal with ADHD, however had not utilized for a therapeutic utilization exemption.
The Grand Rapids, Michigan native returned to preventing final yr, competing for Eagle FC in a brilliant light-weight match-up with fellow octagon vet Diego Sanchez. Lee gained the bout by unanimous resolution.
Lee additionally switched administration throughout his time away. “I really feel like I’m going again dwelling,” Lee stated in a press release to ESPN, saying he was grateful to UFC President Dana White and Chief Enterprise Officer Hunter Campbell for affording him the chance.
No opponent or date has been introduced for Kevin Lee’s return to the octagon simply but.