Nationality American Name Kevin Lee Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) Role Fighter | Division Lightweight Wins by knockout 1 Reach 77.0 in (196 cm) | |
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Born September 4, 1992 (age 31)
Detroit, Michigan, United States ( 1992-09-04 ) Weight 156 lb (71 kg; 11.1 st) Fighting out of Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States Profiles | ||
Kevin Jesse Lee, Jr. (born September 4, 1992) is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As of September 2017, he is the #7 ranked lightweight in official UFC ranikings.
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Background
Born in Grand Rapids and raised in Detroit, Lee competed in basketball growing up and began wrestling during his junior year at Southfield High School. Lee was talented enough to continue his wrestling career at Grand Valley State University, where he was a national tournament qualifier. However, with two years left of wrestling eligibility at the school, Lee dropped out to focus on a career in mixed martial arts.
Early career
On the heels of an undefeated amateur career, Lee turned professional in March 2012. He won his first seven bouts, including four via submission, prior to signing with the UFC.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Lee signed with the UFC in December 2013.
Lee made his debut for the promotion at UFC 169 against Al Iaquinta. Lee suffered his first defeat via unanimous decision.
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.
Lee faced Jon Tuck at UFC 178 on September 27, 2014. Lee won the fight via unanimous decision.
Lee faced Michel Prazeres on February 14, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 60. Lee won the fight by unanimous decision.
Lee next faced James Moontasri on July 15, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 71. Lee won the fight via first round submission.
Lee faced Leonardo Santos on December 12, 2015 at UFC 194. Lee lost the fight via TKO in the first round.
Lee next faced Efrain Escudero on April 23, 2016 at UFC 197. Lee won the fight via unanimous decision.
Lee next faced Jake Matthews on July 8, 2016 at The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale. Lee won the fight via TKO in the first round.
Lee faced Magomed Mustafaev at UFC Fight Night 99 on November 19, 2016. He won the fight via submission in the second round. The win earned Lee his first Performance of the Night bonus award.
Lee faced Francisco Trinaldo on March 11, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 106. After a back-and-forth first round, Lee won the fight via submission in the second round.
Lee faced Michael Chiesa on June 25, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 112. He won the fight via submission at the end of the first round. The win also earned Lee his second Performance of the Night bonus award. 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.
Lee is expected to face Tony Ferguson on October 7, 2017 at UFC 216 for the Interim UFC Lightweight Championship.