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Kevin Lee signs with PFL, steps into lightweight semifinal vs. Gadzhi Rabadanov

Kevin Lee signs with PFL, steps into lightweight semifinal vs. Gadzhi Rabadanov

USA Today28-05-2025
Kevin Lee signs with PFL, steps into lightweight semifinal vs. Gadzhi Rabadanov
Kevin Lee has been searching for a home to continue his MMA career. Now he's found it with the PFL and is immediately shaking things up.
The promotion announced Wednesday that former interim UFC title challenger Lee (20-8) has signed on to join the roster and will step into the lightweight tournament semifinals against 2024 PFL champion Gadzhi Rabadanov on June 20 at INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, Kan. The fight will headline the 2025 PFL World Tournament 6: Semifinals event. Originally, Rabadanov was slated to fight Jay-Jay Wilson, who was forced to withdraw due to injury.
"The Motown Phenom" has competed just once per year from 2020-2024, with his most recent bout a first-round submission of Thiago Oliveira at Lights Out Championship 17 in September. Lee, 32, was connected to the upstart GFL organization and one of the outspoken supporters of the proposed MMA promotion before it imploded weeks out from the inaugural event, leaving all signed athletes in limbo.
Now Lee, who holds wins over the likes of Diego Sanchez, Edson Barboza, Michael Chiesa and more, will make his way to PFL and immediately position himself to potentially win a tournament title.
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