| Kevin Lee | |
|---|---|
 Kevin Lee in 2018 | |
| Born | Kevin Jeese Lee Jr. (1992-09-04)September 4, 1992 (age 33) Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S. |
| Nickname | The Motown Phenom |
| Residence | Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Weight | 155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb)[1] |
| Division | Welterweight (2019, 2021–2023) Lightweight (2012–2018, 2019–2020, 2025-present) 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 inBrazilian jiu-jitsu[3][4] |
| Wrestling | NCWAWrestling[2][5] |
| Years active | 2012–2023, 2024-present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 29 |
| Wins | 20 |
| By knockout | 3 |
| By submission | 9 |
| By decision | 8 |
| Losses | 9 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By submission | 4 |
| By decision | 3 |
| Other information | |
| Website | kevinleemma |
| Mixed martial arts record fromSherdog | |
Kevin Jeese Lee Jr.[6] (born September 4, 1992) is an American professionalmixed martial artist. He is currently signed to theProfessional Fighters League (PFL), where he competes in theLightweight division. He formerly competed in theUltimate Fighting Championship (UFC) where he fought in the Lightweight andWelterweight divisions. He also once competed inEagle Fighting Championship (EFC) as aSuper Lightweight. In October 2017, he headlined theUFC 216pay-per-view and competed for the interimUFC Lightweight Championship.
Lee was born inGrand Rapids, Michigan, on September 4, 1992, and raised inDetroit, Michigan. Lee has a sister and two younger brothers, one of whom isKeith, also a professional mixed martial artist previously signed toBellator who trained with Kevin previously at Xtreme Couture and is currently withTristar.[7][1][8][9][10]
He competed in basketball growing up and beganwrestling during his junior year atSouthfield High School. Lee continued his wrestling career atGrand 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 inmixed martial arts.[11]
Lee made his promotional debut againstAl Iaquinta on February 1, 2014, atUFC 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]
AtThe Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale on July 6, 2014, Lee got his first win for the promotion when he defeatedJesse Ronson by split decision.[14]
Lee facedJon Tuck atUFC 178 on September 27, 2014.[15] Lee won the fight via unanimous decision.
Lee facedMichel Prazeres on February 14, 2015, atUFC Fight Night 60.[16] Lee won the fight by unanimous decision.[17]
Lee next facedJames Moontasri on July 15, 2015, atUFC Fight Night 71.[18] Lee won the fight via first round submission.[19]
Lee facedLeonardo Santos on December 12, 2015, atUFC 194.[20] Lee lost the fight via TKO in the first round.[21]
Lee next facedEfrain Escudero on April 23, 2016, atUFC 197.[22] Lee won the fight via unanimous decision.[23]
Lee next facedJake Matthews on July 8, 2016, atThe Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale.[24] Lee won the fight via TKO in the first round.[25]
Lee facedMagomed Mustafaev atUFC Fight Night 99 on November 19, 2016.[26] He won the fight via submission in the second round.[27] The win earned Lee his firstPerformance of the Night bonus award.[28]
Lee facedFrancisco Trinaldo on March 11, 2017, atUFC Fight Night 106.[29] After a back-and-forth first round, Lee won the fight via submission in the second round.[30]
Lee facedMichael Chiesa on June 25, 2017, atUFC Fight Night 112.[31] He won the fight via submission at the end of the first round.[32] The win also earned Lee his secondPerformance of the Night bonus award.[33] Chiesa appealed to the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission to overturn the defeat, claiming refereeMario 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 foughtTony Ferguson on October 7, 2017, atUFC 216 for the interimUFC Lightweight Championship.[35][36] Despite starting off strong, Lee lost the fight by submission in the third round.[37]
Lee foughtEdson Barboza on April 21, 2018, atUFC 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 facedAl Iaquinta in a rematch on December 15, 2018, atUFC on Fox 31.[41] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[42]
Lee moved up to welterweight to faceRafael dos Anjos in the main event ofUFC 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 prospectGregor Gillespie on November 2, 2019, atUFC 244.[46] Lee won the fight via knockout in the first round.[47] This win earned him thePerformance of the Night award.[48]
Lee facedCharles Oliveira on March 14, 2020, as the main event atUFC 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]
Lee was scheduled to faceSean Brady on July 10, 2021, atUFC 264.[52] However, Lee withdrew due to injury and the bout was rescheduled toUFC 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 byDaniel Rodriguez on August 28, 2021, atUFC on ESPN 30.[56] On his return to welterweight, Lee lost the fight via unanimous decision.[57] Subsequently, Lee tested positive forAdderall 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 diagnosedADHD.[60]
On November 30, 2021, it was announced that Lee was released from the UFC.[61]
On December 15, 2021, it was announced that Lee signed a four-fight contract withEagle FC.[62]
Lee made his debut againstDiego Sanchez in a 165 lbs bout on March 11, 2022, atEagle FC 46.[63][64] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[65]
In early-February 2023, it was reported that Lee had re-signed with the UFC.[66]
Lee made his promotional return againstRinat Fakhretdinov on July 1, 2023 atUFC 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]
Lee made his return to mixed martial arts on September 28, 2024, atLights 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 againstSaul Almeida on November 15, 2024 atGamebred Bareknuckle MMA 8.[73] However, the fight was ultimately canceled without explanation.[74]
On December 11, 2024, it was announced that Lee was signed by Global Fight League.[75] However, in April 2025, it was reported that all GFL events were cancelled indefinitely.[76]
Stepping in as a replacement for Jay-Jay Wilson, Lee facedGadzhi Rabadanov in the2025 PFL Lightweight Tournament Semifinal on June 20, 2025, atPFL 6.[77] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.[78]
Lee was scheduled to faceChad Mendes at ADXC 5 on August 3, 2024.[79] He withdrew from the match on short notice and was replaced byDiego Brandão.[80]
Lee converted toIslam in October 2021.[81][82] He has a son (born 2022).[83] Lee endorsedBernie Sanders in the2020 presidential election, speaking at a rally for Sanders in Las Vegas in December 2019.[84][85]
| 29 matches | 20 wins | 9 losses |
| By knockout | 3 | 2 |
| By submission | 9 | 4 |
| By decision | 8 | 3 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 20–9 | Gadzhi Rabadanov | TKO (punches) | PFL 6 (2025) | June 20, 2025 | 1 | 2:37 | Wichita, Kansas, United States | Return to Lightweight.2025 PFL Lightweight Tournament Semifinal. |
| 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 interimUFC 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 in round 2 due to 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 (guillotine choke) | Total Warrior Combat 20 | November 16, 2013 | 1 | 1:24 | Lansing, Michigan, United States | Won the TWC Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 6–0 | Travis Gervais | Submission (armbar) | Canadian FC 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 29 | 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) | Impact Fight League 51 | 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 | Lightweight debut. |
| No | 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[87] |