Kevin
Lee has been released by the UFC after 18 appearances with the
Las Vegas-based promotion.
MMAFighting.com was first to report Lee’s departure. “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.