Kevin Lee’s nearly eight-year run in the UFC has come to an end. In a bit of a stunner, MMAFighting.com broke the news Tuesday afternoon that the company had parted ways with the 29-year-old. Here are some immediate thoughts on the news, some nuggets on how it went down and a couple theories on why it happened now.
I found listening to Lee's last interview with Ariel very difficult because it many ways it is/was my story and I'm positive, the story of millions of others with ADHD or ADD.
ADHD goes hand in hand with substance abuse. Often, it's not about abuse, it's about trying to calm your mind, I essence, self medicating.
As someone with ADHD and (clean now for 2.5 years, woot woot) who used for 20 years that nearly ended my life, I know that world.
There is a whole worlf of: Challenges of not being able to focus (unless he's really into it, classic ADHD), unable to manage your affairs, drinking ("I'm clean now, except some wine once in a while") a general sense of confusion and frustration.
I hope that Kevin finds what he is looking for. I have a hard time believing he will until he finds a stable team and coach to work under. Losing his coach likely left him deeply hurt and traumatized.
The absolute main catalyst is the manager stuff with Dana. No doubt this is a thinly veiled threat to him, and therefore, any on his books. Kevin Lee is just an unfortunate pawn in this debacle.
I suspect it is a combination of not being able to find a weight class (missing weight) and the USADA drug violation. Not saying I agree with the release, but the drug suspension hit was self-inflicted.
He has lots of potential outside of the UFC. The UFC LW division is so deep. And I feel Lee is too small for a run at WW.
Uncle Dana finally answered the age old question, Where does Kevin Lee fit in all of this. Apparently not in the UFC!
I found listening to Lee's last interview with Ariel very difficult because it many ways it is/was my story and I'm positive, the story of millions of others with ADHD or ADD.
ADHD goes hand in hand with substance abuse. Often, it's not about abuse, it's about trying to calm your mind, I essence, self medicating.
As someone with ADHD and (clean now for 2.5 years, woot woot) who used for 20 years that nearly ended my life, I know that world.
There is a whole worlf of: Challenges of not being able to focus (unless he's really into it, classic ADHD), unable to manage your affairs, drinking ("I'm clean now, except some wine once in a while") a general sense of confusion and frustration.
I hope that Kevin finds what he is looking for. I have a hard time believing he will until he finds a stable team and coach to work under. Losing his coach likely left him deeply hurt and traumatized.
Sorry for the lengthy post.
Quite the fall from grace
I’m sure Kevin Lee will do well at a different organization. He has a lot of potential. I’ll never forget the Gillespie KO.
Couldn’t agree more Lee has a lot of mileage left on those tires.
The absolute main catalyst is the manager stuff with Dana. No doubt this is a thinly veiled threat to him, and therefore, any on his books. Kevin Lee is just an unfortunate pawn in this debacle.
I suspect it is a combination of not being able to find a weight class (missing weight) and the USADA drug violation. Not saying I agree with the release, but the drug suspension hit was self-inflicted.
He has lots of potential outside of the UFC. The UFC LW division is so deep. And I feel Lee is too small for a run at WW.
I think that he just couldn't find his rithm. So unfortunate and i hope he does well outside of UFC.