One-time interim lightweight title challenger Kevin Lee is once again a UFC fighter.
Lee, 30, has re-signed with the promotion one year after being released from contract, a person with knowledge of his new deal confirmed to MMA Fighting after an initial report from ESPN.com.
In a statement to ESPN.com, Lee said his new contract came after a meeting with UFC President Dana White and UFC COO Hunter Campbell: “I feel like I’m going back home. They were very kind to me and I look forward to the next chapter in my career .”
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Lee suggested that he might turn a new page with this weekend’s promotion by posting a picture on social media with UFC executives.
Things weren’t so warm between Lee and UFC brass in December 2021. After being a rising contender in the lightweight division, the veteran fighter was furious at his release from the contract after eight years of his association with UFC. According to Lee, no one from the UFC executive team initially reached out to let him know what happened.
” “I have done all the s*** to y’all,” said he. “I’ve put myself and my body on the line just to end up with an alcohol problem and a tax problem, and at the end of the day, you take my respect away from me, too? You’re like, OK. I will stop there
After hitting the open market, Lee signed with the upstart Eagle FC promotion and fought UFC Hall of Famer Diego Sanchez, who’d also recently been released by the UFC. He won a decision in a “super lightweight” bout at 165 pounds to snap a 1-4 slump in the octagon that included losses to now-former champs Charles Oliveira and Rafael dos Anjos.
Lee also signed with longtime manager Ali Abdelaziz, who is well known behind the scenes for patching relationships between aggrieved fighters and UFC management.
According to Lee, he expects to make his octagon return in spring.
Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/2/6/23588734/kevin-lee-one-time-interim-ufc-lightweight-title-challenger-re-signs-with-promotion?rand=96749
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