Kevin Lee is coming back to MMA! In a surprise reveal on social media, the fighter announced that he will be making a return to competition. Lee officially retired from MMA after his loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov at UFC Vegas 76 in 2023. However, it seems that the time away from the sport has re-ignited his passion for competition as he looks to re-establish himself as a force to be reckoned with.

The announcement has also drawn a flurry of reactions from the fans who were surprised to hear the update but highlighted their support for the fighter! Before a string of bad results in the Octagon, Lee was considered a potential champion in the UFC. Therefore, the news of his comeback has led the fans to proclaim their support and even share some advice for Lee to successfully make a return to the sport!

Kevin Lee announces his return after 6-month long retirement  

In his retirement announcement through an Instagram post, Kevin Lee revealed that he’s hanging up the gloves to pursue new ventures after dedicating more than a decade of his life to the sport. Lee stated, “To make a long story short, I’m deciding to retire from MMA and the UFC. It’s been 12 years, 12 long years of me being the best fighter I can be, and a lot of hard work, a lot of dedication to trying to be the best fighter in the world.”

Lee had a remarkable career which saw him start in the UFC in 2014 and secure wins against names like Michael Chiesa and Jake Mathews. He established himself as a top lightweight and even competed for an interim title against Tony Ferguson, but came up short. However, after that loss, Lee’s career took a downturn, with multiple losses and a stint outside the UFC, as well. 

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But now, in a surprise announcement on social media, he announced his return to MMA after his brief retirement! Lee expressed his comeback plans on X, stating, “I’m coming out of retirement. I’ll fight MMA again. Idk when, where, or who yet, but I’m dropping weight and getting into shape now.”

In another post, he stated, “I’m gonna get in the best shape of my life that’s my focus right now. It’s been 6 months since I retired and I miss being around the sport”.  His comments have caused fans to come out and showcase their support for the fighter, and some fans even took the time to share their advice to ensure his comeback goes smoothly! Let’s take a look at what the community had to say!

Fans react to Lee’s comeback with advise and support

Fans advised Lee to take small steps towards a comeback and possibly try a grappling match

Others wanted to know if he would be returning to the UFC or a different promotion

Lee’s past performances, especially against Charles Oliveira, were also highlighted with some advising him to return at lightweight

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Fans also took humorous jabs at Lee’s recent losses

But some wanted Lee to focus on using his skills to help other fighters

A hypothetical matchup between Lee and Paddy Pimblett was also proposed

While some fans exclaimed that it seems MMA fighters don’t stay retired for long

In conclusion, fan suggestions ranged from testing the waters with a grappling match before a full return to contemplating which organization to join. The sentiment among fans emphasized Lee’s potential in the lightweight division, referencing his performance against Charles Oliveira before the finish. Some advocated for addressing knee issues or transitioning into coaching, while others playfully referenced Lee’s return from the “shadow realm.”

Amidst the speculation, the ongoing theme persists that MMA fighters, including Lee, are never truly retired, keeping the anticipation alive for potential future matchups and career developments!

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