Kevin Lee is preparing for his return to mixed martial arts in the PFL this Friday, and he fully understands why some observers might greet his comeback with more skepticism than excitement.
At his career peak, the 32-year-old lightweight was a significant contender in the UFC. He once challenged for an interim title and delivered a memorable head kick knockout against Gregor Gillespie in 2019. However, subsequent injuries, losses, and a brief move to a different weight class significantly impacted his standing and future prospects in the sport.
After an extended period recovering from knee surgery, Lee secured a victory on the regional circuit last September. Now, he is set for his PFL debut against Gadzhi Rabadanov, a fighter on an impressive 11-fight winning streak, including three recent knockouts.
Lee is acutely aware of the perception surrounding his return. “A lot of people have written me off,” Lee stated. “A lot of people have forgot about me and a lot of people have doubted me so it’s time to shut them up.” He acknowledges that he doesn`t entirely blame those who doubt him, noting that five years is a considerable amount of time, especially since the start of the pandemic. He points out that the sport has grown substantially, and many new fans may not be familiar with his earlier achievements in 2017, 2018, or 2019. For Lee, his return is about making his mark and reminding everyone of his capabilities.
Prior to signing with the PFL, Lee actively pursued a return to the UFC. He even went as far as publicly volunteering to join The Ultimate Fighter reality show if that was necessary to prove he was back to his peak form.
Ultimately, the UFC did not express strong interest in re-signing Lee. However, he harbors no ill will towards the promotion regarding how things unfolded. Lee emphasizes that his primary objective was always to demonstrate that he remains one of the top lightweights globally, and his upcoming PFL debut provides precisely that kind of opportunity.
He argues that the best fighters are not exclusively found within the UFC roster, citing examples from historical promotions like Strikeforce, WEC, PRIDE, and noting that several PFL fighters have transitioned and achieved significant success. For Lee, the specific organization is less important than the fight itself. Facing a high-level opponent like Rabadanov in his return to lightweight after more than five years is his chance to prove he belongs at the top. He sees it simply as finding “the right fight at the right time,” and that`s how the situation played out.
While his relationship with the UFC remains amicable, Lee holds significant frustration towards the Global Fight League (GFL). He initially signed with GFL as a free agent, drawn by promises of substantial paydays and a frequent fighting schedule. After waiting months for the promotion`s planned debut events, GFL abruptly cancelled them, leaving little hope that the organization will ever launch.
Lee had previously alluded to the possibility of filing a lawsuit against GFL and clearly remains angered by the entire disappointing episode. He explained that he had been ready and actively seeking a fight for over a year, with his knee fully recovered for at least six months. He felt he gave GFL six months of his career by being sidelined, something he tried to avoid before signing, making sure they understood he wasn`t interested in inactivity.
He attributes the GFL situation to the reality that, sometimes in MMA, other promotions and their leaders may not possess the necessary understanding or make effective decisions.
Lee did his best to accept the situation and move forward. His opportunity arose when he attended a PFL event where he witnessed Gadzhi Rabadanov compete. Watching Rabadanov quickly defeat a UFC veteran in just 32 seconds immediately captured Lee`s attention, and he informed PFL officials that night of his potential interest in facing Rabadanov in the future.
An injury to Jay-Jay Wilson, who was originally scheduled to fight Rabadanov, subsequently opened the door for Lee to sign with PFL and secure the fight he desired. Lee specifically recalled Rabadanov`s performance against Marc Diakiese: “He was the only lightweight on there to really interest me. He knocked out Marc Diakiese real quick, showed a lot of speed, a lot of power, good accuracy.” He told PFL management he`d be interested in joining for a fight like that. When the call came about the opening three weeks later, Lee accepted without hesitation. “It`s what I wanted. It`s what I`m looking for, and it`s time to rock and roll,” he concluded.
Oliver Croft