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Former UFC fighter Kevin Lee has announced his return to mixed martial arts (MMA) after initially retiring in July last year. The 30-year-old fighter cited injuries as a major factor in his retirement decision, revealing that he needed another surgery after his last fight.
In an Instagram post where he initially announced his retirement, Lee reflected on his 12-year career in MMA, expressing pride in his accomplishments and the challenges he faced. Despite the difficulties, he maintained a fighting spirit and a commitment to pushing his limits.
However, six months after his retirement announcement, Lee took to social media platform 'X' to declare that he is coming out of retirement and preparing to compete in MMA once again. While he did not specify a timeline or opponent for his comeback fight, Lee stated that he is focused on dropping weight and getting into shape.
Currently holding a professional record of 19-8, Lee last fought in a 55-second submission loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov in July. Following his departure from the UFC, he secured a victory over Diego Sanchez in his sole fight for Eagle FC.
During his time in the UFC, Lee amassed an 11-8 record and achieved notable victories over fighters like Edson Barboza, Michael Chiesa, and Gregor Gillespie.
It remains unclear whether Lee is still under contract with the UFC or if he is a free agent. If he is still under contract, it remains to be seen if the UFC would be interested in bringing him back into the fold.