Xtreme Couture head coach Eric Nicksick thinks Kevin Lee’s recent setbacks are more to do with mental hurdles than physical.
After seven years and 18 appearances with the UFC, Lee was released last month. The 29-year-old was once touted as one of the most promising prospects in MMA after winning five straight en route to an interim lightweight title shot against Tony Ferguson.
But after getting submitted by Ferguson in October 2017, Lee went 2-4 in his next six bouts, leading to his UFC release. Those losses came to top-tier competition such as current UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira and former lightweight champ Rafael dos Anjos in fights where he had good moments.
Nicksick thinks Lee has all the attributes to be an elite fighter, but questionable decision-making in fights is what has cost him.
“I think Kevin is such a young guy, and his ceiling is so high,” Nicksick told MMA Junkie Radio. “I’d like to see him just kind of figure out where he’s at mentally and understand that there’s a lot of growth he has to kind of come to terms with, and I really believe in the kid. I really do. I think that sometimes we believe in him more than he believes in himself, and I’d just like to see him find that groove again and understanding what he’s capable of and what his athleticism can do.
“But it’s a situational awareness in his fight IQ at certain times that gets him in trouble, and he just needs to believe in whoever’s there. If it’s Firas (Zahabi), Eddie (Barraco), myself, I don’t care who it is. Believe in what these guys are trying to help you do and accomplish, and I think this is a new beginning for Kevin Lee, and it’s gonna be a good start for him.”
Lee, who’s last win came in a highlight-reel knockout of formerly unbeaten Gregor Gillespie in 2019, signed a multifight deal with Khabib Nurmagomedov’s promotion, Eagle FC, on Wednesday. He is expected to make his debut on March 11 against an opponent to be determined.
Eric Nicksick still thinks Kevin Lee’s ceiling is ‘so high,’ points to specific growth area
