MMA welterweight Kevin Lee was released by the UFC today as first reported by MMA Fighting. Lee was on a recent losing streak but his agent posits that this ending, could be the start of something good.
Lee had multiple fights left on his promotional agreement per his agent Marquel Martin. He also told Ariel Helwani that being a free agent right now looks promising.
“If there was ever a time to be a free agent it’s now. Kevin Lee has a lot of great opportunities waiting for him outside the UFC.”
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) November 30, 2021
– Kevin Lee’s manager @Marquel_Martin on @MoTownPhenom’s surprising release from the UFC today.
Helwani also added on his Substack podcast that Lee, 29, has a lot left in his MMA career. Helwani noted that Triller, which just had a card on Saturday featuring a unique three-sided ring and paid the likes of Frank Mir, Mike Perry and Matt Mitrione could be an option. There is also the prospect of PFL as the organization is coming off of another season and the perception is that the company will have a new media rights deal next season.
Helwani also noted that Martin, who also reps Francis Ngannou, works for CAA. The agency is a rival to Endeavor and that Lee’s departure may have been due to the dueling agencies. While this is speculation, there’s no real evidence to suggest that it is the case here. Sure, there could be hard feelings and the sides may not work together amicably but cutting Lee was probably due to his current losing streak and that he is paid more than a young prospect.
Despite the fact that the company experienced its best 9 month stretch (in terms of finances) in its existence, the UFC saw Lee as expendable. Recently, he was suspended due to his use of Adderall for a medical condition and he had lost the last 5 out 7 UFC fights since 2017. But, his two wins during that time included a TKO over Edson Barboza (although he missed weight) and a Performance of the Night headkick KO of Gregor Gillepsie at UFC 244.
Yet, Lee, who had been with the organization since 2014, was abruptly gone. There is good news for Lee as Martin’s positive spin on this situation was not just spin. Lee has options if he so chooses them. There is Bellator, One Championship and the PFL to name a few MMA orgs that may need another welterweight
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