Lee had been linked to Islam Makhachev in recent months, with “The Motown Phenom” even calling for the fight to take place in Russia. Makhachev seemed willing to be a willing opponent regardless of venue, but the bout ultimately did not come to fruition.
Shortly after the UFC Brasilia main event was revealed, Makhachev blasted Lee on Twitter.
“So much talking, but you choose easy way out,” Makhachev wrote in a tweet directed at Lee.
Makhachev is currently on a six-bout winning streak in the Octagon that includes a unanimous verdict against Davi Ramos in his most recent appearance at UFC 242. Lee, meanwhile, made a successful return to the lightweight division with an emphatic head kick KO of Gregor Gillespie in his last outing at UFC 244 this past November.@MoTownPhenom so much talking, but you choose easy way out https://t.co/Sa4x71d7vd
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) January 14, 2020