N. Kevin Lee debuted in the UFC in 2014. Photo: Reproduction / Facebook UFC
Former challenger for the interim UFC lightweight belt (up to 70,3 kg.), Kevin Lee was taken by surprise by the news of his dismissal from the company. In an interview with 'The MMA Hour', the fighter expressed anger at the organization's decision and surprised by stating that the news came via email.
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“I found out yesterday (Tuesday, the 30th), via email. That's the worst part about it. I didn't get proper notification or a phone call. (…) It was not (submitted by) Sean (Shelby), Hunter (Campbell) or Dana (White). That's what irritates me. It’s a lack of respect”, said the fighter.
Impressed by what he considers a failure on the part of Ultimate's management, Kevin vented about what he felt the moment he read the email confirming the end of his services.
“At first, I was shocked. I didn't understand what was happening. Then, after I spoke to my manager, we understood that it was official. (…) I was pissed and a little embarrassed. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to me,” he said.
Irritated, Lee's attitude was to contact Hunter Campbell, one of the big names on the board. The athlete told a little about the conversation.
“Hunter told me some sh*t. But I didn't hear anything from anyone else. (…) When we are in the UFC, you fight for your respect. People respect you for being a UFC fighter. We're not really doing it for the money. (…) I did everything for you. I got my body in shape, I ended up with an alcohol problem and a tax problem and, in the end, you take away my respect from me too?”, he said.
A UFC employee for almost eight years, Lee doesn't think about one day returning to the company. Sincerely, the athlete explained why he will keep the doors closed for an eventual return.
“Many people are telling me not to criticize, to leave the bridge open. I don't want. Why would I want to work with someone who would disrespect me like that? It's insane. It’s the only thing we fight for in this sport,” she said.
Free to sign with another organization, Kevin guaranteed that he will bounce back. At 29 years old, the American guarantees that his comeback will be in style.
“My only objective at the moment is to show that they made one of the biggest mistakes. I'll be a millionaire in a year or so. This is fun”, he concluded.
A professional in MMA since 2012, Lee arrived in Ultimate in February 2014. From his debut until his last performance, there were 18 fights, with 11 wins and seven setbacks. The athlete had four stumbles in the last five fights.
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