UFC lightweight and occasional welterweight Kevin “The Motown Phenom” Lee has announced his retirement. Lee’s return to the UFC from Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Eagle FC a few weeks ago ended in a loss via vicious guillotine choke. Lee recently announced via Instagram that that fight would be his last.
“To make a long story short, I’m deciding to retire from MMA and the UFC. It’s been 12 years, 12 long years of me being the best fighter I can be, and a lot of hard work, a lot of dedication to trying to be the best fighter in the world.
Kevin Lee Announces UFC Retirement
When I look back on it, I had a hell of a career, I fought a lot of tough guys, some of the toughest guys in the world, I always put up a fight, I never backed down, and always challenged myself to do things that I didn’t think I was capable of doing. The last three years have been rough, especially on my body.
It’s been a lot of injuries, and honestly that’s one of the main factors of me making this decision: I’m in need of another surgery after that last fight.
I’m proud that I went out on my shield, I’m proud that I stood up in there and went out on my own terms, but at this point, I’ve got to think about more than just myself, and I think that my skills and the time and the energy that I’ve put into this sport, I can put into something else and God willing, all glory to God, he’s going to lead me down a different path, the right path, where I can use my skills to help people.
I think if I dedicate myself and give just as much hard work to doing something else, the sky’s the limit.
So again, I hold my head up high. I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t accomplish everything I wanted to but I’m proud of myself for this career that I’ve had and I appreciate everybody who has given two f****s about me and everybody who has supported me.
Even the people that kind of doubted and hated along the way, I appreciate everybody. It’s been a hell of a journey. I’m still young, I still capable of doing a lot in this life and that’s what I’m going to do.”
Lee once fought Tony Ferguson for an interim lightweight title, but lost. Since then, he has struggled to piece together a winning streak, but will retire from MMA with a professional record of 19-8.
