Kevin Lee, once hailed as a potential UFC champion, has been released from UFC, the organization that once held his dreams. As fans weigh in on the news, his retirement announcement last month after a first-round submission loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov takes center stage.

The 30-year-old fighter, known as “The Motown Phenom,” leaves behind an MMA legacy shaped by triumphs and challenges. His removal from UFC has elicited mixed reactions from fans, who recalled his heyday when he was among the top contenders in the division.

Kevin Lee had one of the greatest KOs ever

In response to the news of his departure, a fan succinctly captured the sentiment, reflecting, “Oh well, at least he still had one of the greatest KOs ever,” evoking memories of Kevin Lee’s remarkable knockout victory over the undefeated lightweight prospect Gregor Gillespie at UFC 244 a couple of years ago.

Lee’s journey saw him rise to prominence in the UFC since his debut in 2014. Boasting a record of 19-8 (11-8 UFC), Lee has significant victories under his belt, including wins against Edson Barboza, Gregor Gillespie, and Michael Chiesa.

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Once among the top 10 lightweights

Lee’s career trajectory was marked by highs and lows, including a 9-2 start in the UFC that propelled him to title contention. However, his subsequent 4-4 record in his next eight fights saw him grapple with the competitive nature of the sport.

Notably, The Motown Phenom” fought valiantly for the UFC’s interim lightweight championship in 2017 against Tony Ferguson but fell short via third-round submission.

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Here are some fans’ reactions:

• Sad to see this again
• Should’ve made Lee vs Ferguson 2 and sent them both out after that… This is sad to see
• Remember when he was top 10? LOL
• Retiring after a first-round submission loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov. 19-8 (11-8 UFC) with wins against Edson Barboza, Gregor Gillespie, Francisco Trinaldo, Jake Matthews, Michael Chiesa, and Diego Sánchez. Former Lightweight interim title challenger.

The former contender’s last appearance was at UFC Fight Night on July 1 in Las Vegas, where he faced a 55-second submission loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov. Lee’s injuries, size constraints for lightweight and welterweight divisions, and the absence of a 165-pound category left him at a crossroads.

As the MMA community reflects on Lee’s career, which spanned 12 years and numerous high-stakes battles inside the Octagon, it’s evident that his impact transcends wins and losses. From his memorable showdown against Gregor Gillespie at UFC 244 to his advocacy for division changes, Kevin Lee’s journey remains an integral part of his legacy.

With him now retired, what standout moment in Kevin Lee’s Octagon career do you consider his most memorable?

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