UFC Veteran Kevin Lee Signs with Eagle Fighting Championship

Eagle Fighting Championship has added another notable name to its roster.

Promotion officials announced during a Wednesday news conference that former UFC lightweight interim title challenger Kevin Lee has signed a multi-fight contract. Lee was in attendance at the press conference in Miami to announce the deal, and he mentioned that the organization’s commitment to a 165-pound division played a “big part” in his decision to choose Eagle FC. His debut is expected to take place at an event on March 11.

“It’s amazing. Walking into this building feels like a fresh start,” Lee said. “I could feel like a new energy. And to be around a great champion and great champions in the past and try to follow in their footsteps, I feel like it’s big shoes to fill, and I’m here to do that.

“…I’ll be the first 165-pound world champion … It’ll feel nice to make a little piece of history for mixed martial arts.”

Once upon a time, Lee vocally pursued a clash with Nurmagomedov when both were competing in the UFC at 155 pounds. Now, Lee considers a privilege to compete for an organization run by the ex-champion.

“I’ve seen his rise through the UFC. I know how hard it is to be a champion, and I know how hard it is to stay a champion,” Lee said. “That’s one thing, but then I start seeing what he’s able to do outside of the cage and supporting his teammates and training other people, and now he’s getting into promoting. I give him credit for that. I’ve said a lot about the man in the past, and I wanted to fight him, and I wanted to test myself against him. I only want to do that with people I respect. Since his retirement, my respect has grown. I’m happy to go in there and shed some blood.”

Lee was released from the UFC last month following 18 appearances with the Las Vegas-based promotion. “The Motown Phenom” has lost four of his last five Octagon appearances, including a unanimous decision defeat to Daniel Rodriguez in his most recent outing at UFC on ESPN 30 on Aug. 28. His lone victory during that stretch was a head-kick knockout of Gregor Gillespie at UFC 244 in November 2019.

Lee was suspended for six months by the Nevada State Athletic Commission after testing positive for Adderall — which he said was used to treat adult ADHD — in relation to the fight against Rodriguez. Lee apologized for his failed test on social media while also revealing battles with sobriety and substance abuse. He is eligible to return to active competition on Feb. 28, 2022.

At one time, Lee was one of the top lightweight talents in the UFC, winning nine of 10 bouts from July 2014 to June 2017 to earn a shot against Tony Ferguson for the interim 155-pound belt. Lee would fall to Ferguson via third-round submission at UFC 216, the beginning of a tailspin that saw him lose five of seven Octagon appearances before his release.