Kevin Lee

Fighter Facts

• Pro since 2012
   
• Eight wins by submission (2 guillotine, armbar, 5 RNC), three by KO
   
• Six first round finishes
   
• Has won 11 of his last 16
   
• Returning to welterweight

UFC History

UFC Fight Night (3/14/20) Lee was submitted by Charles Oliveira via guillotine choke at :28 of the third round.
UFC 244 (11/2/19) Lee knocked out Gregor Gillespie at 2:47 of the first round
UFC Fight Night (5/18/19) Lee was submitted by Rafael Dos Anjos via arm triangle choke at 3:47 of the fourth round
UFC on FOX (12/15/18) Lee lost a five round unanimous decision to Al Iaquinta
UFC Fight Night (4/21/18) Lee defeated Edson Barboza via TKO (Doctor stoppage) at 2:18 of the fifth round
UFC 216 (10/7/17) Lee was submitted by Tony Ferguson via triangle choke at 4:02 of the third round in a fight for the interim UFC lightweight title
UFC Fight Night (6/25/17) Lee submitted Michael Chiesa via rear naked choke at 4:37 of the first round
UFC Fight Night (3/11/17) Lee submitted Francisco Trinaldo via rear naked choke at 3:12 of the second round
UFC Fight Night (11/19/16) Lee submitted Magomed Mustafaev via rear naked choke at 4:31 of the second round
TUF 23 Finale (7/8/16) Lee stopped Jake Matthews via strikes at 4:06 of the first round
UFC 197 (4/23/16) Lee won a three round unanimous decision over Efrain Escudero
UFC 194 (12/12/15) Lee was stopped by Leonardo Santos via strikes at 3:26 of the first round
UFC Fight Night (7/15/15) Lee submitted James Moontasri via rear naked choke at 2:56 of the first round
UFC Fight Night (2/14/15) Lee won a three round unanimous decision over Michel Prazeres
UFC 178 (9/27/14) Lee won a three round unanimous decision over Jon Tuck
TUF 19 Finale (7/6/14) Lee won a three round split decision over Jesse Ronson
UFC 169 (2/1/14) Lee lost a three round unanimous decision to Al Iaquinta

Q&A

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started training to fight in June 2011 after taking my first amateur bout with no experience. I had the passion to fight so I went and signed up for one as soon as I turned of age without any training until afterwards. It was something natural for me to do.  
What ranks and titles have you held? As a professional I was the Total Warrior Combat 155lb champion. In college I was a Division two national qualifying wrestler. 
Do you have any heroes? Georges St-Pierre will always be one of my heroes. It was his fight with BJ Penn that got me interested in MMA in the first place. Floyd Mayweather Jr has also always been a hero of mine, and of course my dad. 
What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It means everything to me to fight for the UFC.  It means a real opportunity for me to do what I love and am good at every day. I have turned down offers from every other major promotion in MMA until I had my chance at the world’s premier organization. This has been my goal since I started MMA and I can't wait to show the fans my skills. 
Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I was still a full-time student when I got the call from the UFC. I have decided to take this semester off to focus but I am only one semester shy of earning my BA in Biomedical Sciences. 
What was your job before you started fighting? I started fighting when I was 18 years old, so my only previous job was being a student. 
Specific accomplishments in amateur competition? As an amateur I held the Caged Lion and Elite Federation of Fighters welterweight championship. I was also the MECs and EFF Lightweight champion. I was the number one ranked 155lber in Michigan after KOing the previous number 1 in the 1st round. I ended my amateur career 10-0-0. 
Specific accomplishments in pro competition? I am the TWC 155lb champion, a title I just vacated to have my opportunity in the UFC. 
Favorite grappling technique: Chokes; Guillotines, RNC 
Favorite Striking technique: Good Old fashioned Midwest boxing.