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USA Today
23-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kevin Lee after 2025 PFL 6 knockout loss: 'I can't absorb shots anymore'
I'm not a coward. At least I can say that I tried. I shot for the legs just aren't what they used to be. I can't absorb shots anymore and honestly I don't know if it will come back Kevin Lee has come to a harsh realization after 2025 PFL 6. In the lightweight tournament semifinal bout, Lee (20-9) was knocked out by Gadzhi Rabadanov (26-4-2) in the first round Friday at INTRUST Bank Arena. Lee has now lost four of his past six bouts, and has been finished in three of them. "The Motown Phenom" took to "X" to open up on the short-notice loss and gave an honest assessment of his durability. "I'm not a coward. At least I can say that I tried. I shot for the stars. My legs just aren't what they used to be. I can't absorb shots anymore and honestly I don't know if it will come back." Lee posted another video showing off the damage to his jaw. "You know, I was proud of what I was able to do during that fight," Lee said. "My jaw might be wired shut, I might be drinking out of a straw, but at least I was able to go out there, test myself. I'm no coward. I ain't never been a coward. My body just gave out on me. My heart was there, I was proud of the way I prepared. I was able to make the weight on short notice, and I was in tremendous shape, but the fight just didn't go the way I expected it to go. "My legs just never got underneath me. I knew I was fighting a tough opponent. The kid's a world champion for a reason so, I don't hang my head for a second. I was proud of what I was able to do in this sport, I was proud of what I was able to do last night. I can go and tell my kids your daddy ain't no coward. I showed up, I put it all out there, put my heart on the line, and I'm proud of that. We'll see what's next." Beautiful life but it's a brutal sport
USA Today
28-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kevin Lee signs with PFL, steps into lightweight semifinal vs. Gadzhi Rabadanov
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.
