Kevin Lee is set to make his PFL debut, immediately facing a significant challenge.
The former UFC interim lightweight title contender has experienced a challenging period marked by inactivity and inconsistent performance. However, he returns to major league competition next month, stepping into the PFL tournament semi-finals against the 2024 winner, Gadzhi Rabadanov.
Replacing the injured former Bellator standout Jay-Jay Wilson, Lee finds himself in an excellent position for a title run. His initial hurdle is Rabadanov, a prominent lightweight trained under Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Kevin Lee`s PFL Debut Confirmed Against Reigning Tournament Champion
The PFL announced in a press release today that Kevin Lee has signed a multi-fight deal and will return to major league MMA. Fans were surprised by the rapid timing of his debut, set for June 20 in Wichita, Kansas.
Announcing the news on his Instagram page, Lee posted a photo with a brief statement: “It’s official, I’m stepping into the PFL lightweight tournament against the #1 ranked guy June 20th.”
The accomplished wrestler will headline the lightweight division card, facing the 2024 champion Rabadanov as Jay-Jay Wilson`s replacement. The victor of this bout will advance to face the winner of the other semi-final between Brent Primus and Alfie Davis.
Lee`s last fight was in September for Lights Out Promotions, securing a submission victory over Thiago Oliveira in under two minutes. A planned Bare Knuckle MMA fight in November was canceled. Now, he faces a formidable challenge in Rabadanov, considered by some to be among the world`s top lightweights.
Kevin Lee Eyes PFL Dominance With Just Three Fights Following Surprise Return
If Lee defeats Rabadanov, he would immediately become a strong contender to win the entire tournament. Rabadanov dominated Primus in last year`s final, and Davis is still building experience at this elite level, positioning the winner of Lee vs. Rabadanov favorably.
Winning the tournament would not only earn Lee a significant $500,000 prize in addition to his fight earnings but also place him in line for a shot at Usman Nurmagomedov`s world title in the Champions Series. Following his exciting fight with Paul Hughes in January, Nurmagomedov has been seeking new challengers.
While fans have called for a rematch between Nurmagomedov and Hughes, it appears Usman is more interested in facing a fresh opponent. A victory for Lee over Rabadanov, followed by a tournament win, would instantly create a compelling storyline and establish a legitimate contender.
