ACL Surgery To Keep Lee Out Six Months

Photo by Buda Mendes/Zuffa LLC

Kevin Lee’s return to the Octagon will be delayed for up to six months, as the former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight contender is set to undergo surgery later this week to repair a torn ACL.

According to statements he made to ESPN, “The Motown Phenom” says he hopes to be back in action sooner than that, but when it comes to sensitive injuries such as these, time is a person’s best friend.

“It used to mean being out a year. They’ve gotten better with the technology and the [physical therapy], so it might even be sooner. I don’t know,” said Lee, who says he won’t divulge how the injury happened for insurance reasons.

Furthermore, the scrappy 155-pounder insinuated that perhaps the COVID-19 virus may have been a factor, as he says he’ been “overly-fatigued” and his body hasn’t been feeling as great as usual.

Lee was last scene competing at UFC Fight Night 170 — which was UFC’s last event before going on mandated hiatus — losing to Charles Oliveira via third round guillotine in Brasilia, Brazil (highlights). Prior to the defeat, Lee was coming off an impressive knockout win over Gregor Gillespie at UFC 244.

After his loss to “Do Bronx,” Kevin stated that he would betaking some time off from the fight game. And while injuries are never a good thing, “The Motown Phenom” says the timing of it is works out in his favor.

“I didn’t mean it like this, but the world works in mysterious ways,” Lee said. “At this point, it is what it is. I kind of wanted the break anyway. Now it’s seriously forcing me to take it.”