Kevin Lee isn't happy his UFC return is happening at UFC APEX 'pandemic is over' (Video)
It hasn't been an easy road for Kevin Lee but the "Motown Phenom" has found his way back onto the UFC roster and is fighting in the Octagon for the first time since August 2021.
Lee was released in November 2021 and competed once under the Eagle Fighting Championship banner before signing a new deal with the UFC. He's glad to be back, taking on Rinat Fakhretdinov in the featured prelim bout of UFC Vegas 76. However, there's one thing Lee isn't happy about.
"I wish [my return fight] was in front of more fans," Lee said during the UFC Vegas 76 media day. "I don't know how many people are going to be at APEX, but it's kind of stupid. I don't know what we're doing, you know what I mean? The pandemic's over."
It's not the first time Lee will have to fight without his desired crowd - he lost to Charles Oliveira at UFC Brasília in the first event that was closed to the public due to the pandemic in March 2020.
For Lee, vibing with UFC fans is something he feeds off.
"It's a different energy when it's thousands and thousands of people screaming," Lee explained. "It's a different level of feeling."
Despite his disappointment, Lee is focused on the opportunity in front of him.
"I wish that was happening [in front of a crowd], but I'm going to make do with what I do," Lee continued. "I'm going to go out there on Saturday, in front of the two, three-hundred rich-a** motherf*****s that want to see me bleed and we're going to get it in."
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