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UFC veteran Kevin Lee announces he’s coming out of retirement
UFC veteran Kevin Lee is un-retired.
Wednesday, Lee (19-8 MMA, 11-8 UFC) announced in a Tweet that he will fight in MMA again, likely at lightweight. No timeline for the return was given.
“I’m coming out of retirement,” Lee wrote on X. “I’ll fight MMA again. Idk when, where, or who yet but I’m dropping weight and getting into shape now. … I’m gonna get in the best shape of my life that’s my focus right now. It’s been 6 months since I retired and I miss being around the sport.”
It’s unclear if Lee remains on the UFC roster, his contract frozen – or if the promotion severed ties when he notified it of his retirement.
Lee, 31, announced his retirement in July following a 55-second submission loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov. The appearance was his first fight back with the promotion since he was released in November 2021.
I’m coming out of retirement. I’ll fight MMA again. Idk when, where, or who yet but I’m dropping weight and getting into shape now.
— Kevin Lee MTP (@MoTownPhenom) January 31, 2024
I’m gonna get in the best shape of my life that’s my focus right now. It’s been 6 months since I retired and I miss being around the sport
— Kevin Lee MTP (@MoTownPhenom) January 31, 2024
Lee has competed professionally in MMA since 2012. He made his UFC debut in 2014 and went 9-2 in his first 11 promotional bouts. In 2017, he headlined UFC 216 when he lost an interim lightweight title bout to Tony Ferguson.
The defeat kicked off a 2-5 stretch in the UFC, prior to his release. Lee defeated Diego Sanchez under the Eagle FC banner in March 2022 before he rejoined the UFC in 2023.
MMA: UFC 244-Lee vs Gillespie
Nov 2, 2019; New York, NY, USA; Kevin Lee (red gloves) fights Gregor Gillespie (blue gloves)…
Nov 2, 2019; New York, NY, USA; Kevin Lee (red gloves) fights Gregor Gillespie (blue gloves) during UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Sarah Stier-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 244-Lee vs Gillespie
Nov 2, 2019; New York, NY, USA; Kevin Lee (red gloves) fights Gregor Gillespie (blue gloves)…
Nov 2, 2019; New York, NY, USA; Kevin Lee (red gloves) fights Gregor Gillespie (blue gloves) during UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Sarah Stier-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 244-Lee vs Gillespie
Nov 2, 2019; New York, NY, USA; Kevin Lee (red gloves) fights Gregor Gillespie (blue gloves)…
Nov 2, 2019; New York, NY, USA; Kevin Lee (red gloves) fights Gregor Gillespie (blue gloves) during UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Sarah Stier-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 244-Lee vs Gillespie
Nov 2, 2019; New York, NY, USA; Kevin Lee (red gloves) fights Gregor Gillespie (blue gloves)…
Nov 2, 2019; New York, NY, USA; Kevin Lee (red gloves) fights Gregor Gillespie (blue gloves) during UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Sarah Stier-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 244-Lee vs Gillespie
Nov 2, 2019; New York, NY, USA; Kevin Lee (red gloves) fights Gregor Gillespie (blue gloves)…
Nov 2, 2019; New York, NY, USA; Kevin Lee (red gloves) fights Gregor Gillespie (blue gloves) during UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Sarah Stier-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 244-Lee vs Gillespie
Nov 2, 2019; New York, NY, USA; Kevin Lee (red gloves) fights Gregor Gillespie (blue gloves)…
Nov 2, 2019; New York, NY, USA; Kevin Lee (red gloves) fights Gregor Gillespie (blue gloves) during UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Sarah Stier-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 244-Lee vs Gillespie
Nov 2, 2019; New York, NY, USA; Kevin Lee (red gloves) defeats Gregor Gillespie (blue gloves)…
Nov 2, 2019; New York, NY, USA; Kevin Lee (red gloves) defeats Gregor Gillespie (blue gloves) during UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Sarah Stier-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 244-Lee vs Gillespie
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MMA: UFC 244-Lee vs Gillespie
Kevin Lee after knocking out Gregor Gillespie at UFC 244.
Kevin Lee after knocking out Gregor Gillespie at UFC 244.
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MMA: UFC 244-Lee vs Gillespie
Nov 2, 2019; New York, NY, USA; Kevin Lee (red gloves) defeats Gregor Gillespie (blue gloves)…
Nov 2, 2019; New York, NY, USA; Kevin Lee (red gloves) defeats Gregor Gillespie (blue gloves) during UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Sarah Stier-USA TODAY Sports
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