Former UFC candidate asked to fight in Dana White's series

Dana White's Contender Series is an opportunity for up-and-coming fighters to catch the attention of the UFC boss.

But for Kevin Lee it was the perfect opportunity to make a second impression.

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Lee, who had previously fought for the UFC's interim lightweight title, approached matchmaker Sean Shelby and offered his services to the company.

“I want to compete again,” Lee said on Anik & Florian (thanks to MMA Fighting for the quotes). “I even told Sean that I'm willing to compete in Dana White's Contender Series to show how serious I am about competing at a high level.”

However, Lee was rejected by Shelby before things could even continue.

“He said no, but I was willing to do it,” Lee said. “It's a flat $5,000. That's all you get. At $5,000 we lose money, but I'm still willing to do it.”

Kevin Lee is still looking for a possible UFC return

Lee, 32, last fought in the summer of 2023, losing to Rinat Fakhretdinov by technical submission, losing three of four fights before leaving the company.

In 2017, Lee and Tony Ferguson met and fought for the interim title. Ferguson won by submission in the third round, ending a five-fight winning streak for the “Motown Phenom”.

Lee made his promotional debut in 2014, losing to Al Iaquinta. He earned his first UFC win later that year, defeating Jesse Ronson by decision.