Kevin Lee says ACL surgery a success, promises to return stronger

Kevin Lee will finally be forced into some time off after undergoing successful ACL surgery.

Lee, who has fought 17 times in the six years since making his UFC debut, went under the knife Friday to repair damage to the ligament in his left knee.

Surgery has been something Lee has avoided in the past, he said, but opted to go forward after the situation become untenable following his submission loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC on ESPN+ 28 in March.

“Two, three years my (expletive) has been torn,” Lee said on roughly six-month timeline for his rehabilitation process to be complete. From there, he can think about getting back in the octagon.

Following his loss to Oliveira in Brazil, an emotional Lee, 27, hinted he could be out of action for as long as two years. His demeanor appears to have changed, though. After surgery, Lee indicated he’s motivated to get back at his best.

“Thanks to everybody who reached out and been checking on me,” Lee wrote. “Surgery went great, when I recover I’m gonna be 10x stronger that’s where my energy is going to (right now). The universe finally sat my ass down.”