Kevin Lee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kevin Lee |
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Kevin Lee in 2018
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| Born | Kevin Jeese Lee Jr. September 4, 1992 Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S. |
| Nickname(s) | The Motown Phenom |
| Residence | Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Weight | 170 lb (77 kg) |
| Division | Welterweight (2019, 2021–2023) Lightweight (2012–2018, 2019–2020) Super lightweight (2022) |
| Reach | 77 in (196 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Fighting out of | Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
| Team | Xtreme Couture (2012–2019) Tristar Gym (2019–present) |
| Trainer | Dewey Cooper (2012–2023) Firas Zahabi (2019–2023) |
| Rank | blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu |
| Wrestling | NCWA Wrestling |
| Years active | 2012–2023 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 28 |
| Wins | 20 |
| By knockout | 3 |
| By submission | 9 |
| By decision | 8 |
| Losses | 8 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By submission | 4 |
| By decision | 3 |
Kevin Jeese Lee Jr. (born September 4, 1992) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He used to compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He fought in the Welterweight, Lightweight, and Super Lightweight divisions.
In 2017, he competed for the UFC Interim Lightweight Championship.
Contents
Early Life and Training
Kevin Lee was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on September 4, 1992. He grew up in Detroit, Michigan. Kevin has a sister and two younger brothers. One of his brothers, Keith, is also a professional mixed martial artist. Keith has trained with Kevin at different gyms.
Kevin played basketball when he was younger. He started wrestling in high school. He continued wrestling at Grand Valley State University. There, he was a national tournament qualifier and had a perfect record of 37 wins and 0 losses in his second year. However, Kevin left college to focus on his career in mixed martial arts.
Mixed Martial Arts Career
Starting in the UFC (2014-2015)
Kevin Lee made his first appearance in the UFC on February 1, 2014, at UFC 169. He lost this fight. After this loss, Kevin moved to Las Vegas to improve his fighting skills.
He got his first UFC win on July 6, 2014, at The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale. He won by a split decision. Later that year, on September 27, 2014, he won another fight by unanimous decision at UFC 178.
In 2015, Kevin continued his winning streak. He won two fights by unanimous decision and one by submission. His winning streak ended on December 12, 2015, when he lost a fight at UFC 194.
Building Momentum (2016-2017)
In 2016, Kevin won three fights in a row. He won two fights by unanimous decision and one by TKO. On November 19, 2016, he won a fight by submission. This win earned him his first Performance of the Night bonus award.
Kevin continued his success in 2017. He won two fights by submission. One of these wins also earned him a Performance of the Night bonus. On October 7, 2017, Kevin fought for the interim UFC Lightweight Championship. He started strong but lost the fight by submission in the third round.
Later UFC Fights (2018-2021)
On April 21, 2018, Kevin won a tough fight by TKO. He faced the same opponent he fought in his UFC debut on December 15, 2018. Kevin lost this rematch by unanimous decision.
In 2019, Kevin moved up to the welterweight division. He lost his first fight in this new division. Later that year, he returned to the lightweight division. On November 2, 2019, Kevin won a fight by knockout in the first round. This impressive win earned him another Performance of the Night award.
In 2020, Kevin had a main event fight on March 14. He lost this fight by submission. In 2021, Kevin was scheduled to fight twice, but both fights were canceled due to injuries. He eventually fought on August 28, 2021, and lost by unanimous decision. On November 30, 2021, it was announced that Kevin Lee was no longer fighting for the UFC.
Eagle Fighting Championship and Return to UFC
On December 15, 2021, Kevin Lee signed a contract with Eagle FC. He made his debut on March 11, 2022, and won his fight by unanimous decision.
In early 2023, Kevin Lee signed with the UFC again. He made his return fight on July 1, 2023. He lost this fight by technical submission. On July 11, 2023, Kevin Lee announced he was retiring from MMA.
Return to MMA Again
Kevin Lee made another return to mixed martial arts on September 28, 2024. He won this fight by submission in the first round. He was also scheduled for a bare-knuckle fight, but it was canceled.
On December 11, 2024, it was announced that Kevin Lee joined the Global Fight League.
Other Sports
Kevin Lee was scheduled to compete in a professional grappling match on August 3, 2024. However, he had to withdraw from the match.
Personal Life
Kevin Lee became a Muslim in October 2021. He has a son, who was born in 2022. He supported a political candidate in the 2020 United States presidential election.
Achievements and Awards
- Total Warrior Combat
- TWC Lightweight Championship (One time)
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (Three times) for his fights against Magomed Mustafaev, Michael Chiesa, and Gregor Gillespie
- UFC.com Awards
- 2019: Ranked #5 Knockout of the Year for his knockout against Gregor Gillespie
See also
In Spanish: Kevin Lee para niños
- List of male mixed martial artists
