Kevin Lee was shockingly released from the UFC a few months ago and many were perplexed by the promotion's decision. There were a few theories but it seems that the most common one has to do with his representation.
Kevin Lee is currently managed by Marquel Martin of CAA. He's famously going head to head with the UFC in order to find the best deal for Francis Ngannou after his first title defense.
“To say I was surprised – no, not really,” Lee told MMA Junkie. “I know the back end and all the stuff that goes behind closed doors. They really showed me no respect toward the end.
“I feel like I ate a lot of the flak for guys like Francis Ngannou in his situation with them. They used me as kind of like a pawn and a scapegoat. And really, I hope other fighters kind of see that. That’s what they do to you.
“They didn’t like the way negotiations was handled with Francis, so they took it out on me to kind of show (CAA) a lesson. But I think in the end, we’re going to show that you can’t necessarily treat people like this, and there’s many other ways to make money and kind of outshine them. So we’re going to beat them one way or the other.”
The former UFC lightweight realized things were starting to change with him in the promotion around the time they created the interim heavyweight belt. Kevin Lee realized things were starting to become different.
“Honestly, it happened months ago – just little stuff,” Lee said. “I was still recovering from a knee injury, but I’m still hearing these ramblings of what’s going on with Francis and them creating an interim title and all that.
“And then all of a sudden, ‘Oh, you can’t come do your physical therapy at this time.’ ‘Oh, you want credentials? We’re going to have to see.’ And I’m like, ‘OK, I’m starting to see what’s going on here.’ And then after my fight with (Daniel) Rodriguez, they just gave me the sh*t end of the stick. So I could see the writing on the wall.
“But honestly, it’s going to be a blessing in disguise. I’m starting a new division. I really hold no ill will toward them. I’m one of the most recognizable faces in all of MMA. I can go anywhere in the world and people know who I am. So I thank them for that, and we’re going to go on and I’m (going to) push on and be a world champion.”
It's unclear if the UFC will ever look to re-sign Kevin Lee after everything that happened. Lee has moved on though and will be making his debut for Eagle FC in March against Diego Sanchez.
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