Former Interim Title Challenger Kevin Lee Released by the UFC

Gone Too Soon?

Kevin Lee (18-7-0) debuted with the promotion at UFC 169 in February 2014. After losing his UFC debut against Al Iaquinta, Lee bounced back with four straight victories until losing to Leonardo Santos at UFC 194. Lee followed that up with another winning streak, rattling off five straight, including wins against Francisco Trinaldo and Michael Chiesa.

After an interim-title loss to Tony Ferguson at UFC 216, Lee would drop five of his last seven bouts. There appeared to be hope after a highlight-reel knockout of Gregor Gillespie at UFC 244, but two more losses against Charles Oliveira and Daniel Rodriguez would be all she wrote for Lee in the UFC.

Likely playing into the release was a six-month suspension levied by the Nevada State Athletic Commission after testing positive for a banned substance following the bout against Rodriguez. The commission voted unanimously to suspend Lee until Feb. 28, 2022, after testing positive for amphetamines in a post-fight drug test. Lee disclosed that the amphetamine in question was Adderall, which he uses to treat ADHD. Lee acknowledged that he failed to apply for a therapeutic use exemption and was fined $16.500 in penalties.

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