Kevin Lee believes he is the real champion of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s lightweight division.
The American mixed martial artist was once regarded as one of the biggest contenders at 155 pounds.
From 2016-2017, he completed an impressive five-fight winning streak, which set him up to a massive bout against Tony Ferguson for the interim lightweight title.
Unfortunately, the ‘Motown Phenom’ suffered a third-round submission to ‘El Cucuy’ – his third loss in his UFC record.
Since that defeat, Lee has bounced back with a victory over Edson Barboza but lost to Al Iaquinta in December 2018 before disappointing on his welterweight debut as he was submitted by Rafael Dos Anjos.
At UFC 244, he made a comeback at 155 pounds and and went on to finish Gregor Gillespie in a brutal fashion.
Currently ranked eighth in the lightweight class, Lee aims to pile up string of wins as he sets his sights on winning the gold, which he considers already belongs to him.
Staying Active
Following a huge win last November, Lee will headline UFC Brasilia this March against the country’s local hero, Charles Oliveria.
Declaring himself as the ‘uncrowned lightweight champ,’ the American vows to come after Khabib Nurmagomedov’s belt.
“I want to stay active and plus I feel like I’m the uncrowned champion anyway. I have to fight all these dudes anyway,” Lee told MMA Junkie in a recent interview.
“So, I may as well stay active, get some more experience out there. This will also be a tough fight [against Oliveira], he’s in the prime of his career but I like to fight.”
“They ain’t going to put my name in their mouth but they all know that I’m coming up.”
“But, they all know that’s my title. They can continue to jockey for it but they all know eventually that’s my title and I’m coming after it.”
“I haven’t really lost to a man at lightweight yet. I’ve lost some fights but I ain’t lost to a man yet.”
‘My Title’
Furthermore, Lee said Khabib and Tony Ferguson will be fighting for his title as he wants to bring his name back in the title conversation.
“Khabib and Tony are getting ready to fight for it, but that’s my title.”
“I got to go out there and I got to keep proving it to people.”
“So yeah, I feel like I’m a little exed out of certain conversations that should be happening but, I’m going to come out the back end and they can’t stop me.”
“So yeah, am I getting a little bit more respect? OK, but not really. Not yet.”
UFC Brasilia will go down in March 14 at the Ginasio Nilson Nelson. Can Kevin Lee make it two in a row?
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/ Kevin Lee)