Kevin Lee names Khamzat Chimaev as one of two fighters he wants most ahead of UFC return
Kevin Lee has made a return to the UFC just 18 months after leaving the promotion, and he has wasted no time in calling for big fights as he names Khamzat Chimaev on his two-man list of ideal opponents.
Prior to finalizing a deal for his comeback to the octagon, 'The Motown Phenom' looked to be on his way to the PFL and announced that talks with the promotion had gone well. While he will no longer be joining them, the 30-year-old does line himself up for some interesting matchups as a welterweight in the UFC.
While discussing his decision to return to the company, Kevin Lee gave a rough timeline for when he can be expected back in the cage and named two of the athletes he most wants to compete against first.
"We're throwing out some names, I think Sean Brady is a fight that should happen... I know he's coming off a loss and he's looking to get back in there in the thick of things, so as soon as possible, I'm ready to fight... When I called out Khamzat, I called him out a couple of weeks ago, I was dead serious. I'm dead serious about that fight, I would love that fight... I'm here for the biggest challenges."
Following his loss to Belal Muhammad in his most recent outing, Sean Brady will be wanting to get back into the winners' column and could potentially be a fantastic matchup for Lee.
Check out what the former interim lightweight title challenger had to say about his return in the video below.
Is Kevin Lee vs. Khamzat Chimaev a realistic fight next?
While in some aspects it makes sense given Kevin Lee's willingness and Khamzat Chimaev's struggle to find an opponent, there are a number of reasons why this bout is arguably not the right move for the UFC.
Despite remaining a big name in the sport and coming off an impressive win over Diego Sanchez, the well-rounded American has lost four of his last five fights with the UFC before leaving for pastures new.
With rumors suggesting Khamzat Chimaev may be ready to make his move up to the middleweight division and with Lee's poor form inside the octagon, the fight doesn't make the most sense, though stranger things have happened in the sport.