Kevin Jeese Lee Jr., primarily known by his ring name The Motown Phenom, is an American professional mixed martial artist who has competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in multiple weight classes.
He competed in the Welterweight, Lightweight and Super Lightweight divisions during his tenure with the promotion.
Lee has also previously competed in the Eagle Fighting Championship, competing in the Super Lightweight division.
Known for his well-rounded skill set and fierce fighting style, Lee has become a top contender in the UFC’s Lightweight division.
During his time in the promotion, he picked up notable wins over Michael Chiesa, Edson Barboza and Gregor Gillespie.
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- Full name: Kevin Lee
- Stage name: Motown Phenomenon
- Date of birth: September 4, 1992
- Age: 32 years old
- Place of birth: Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: American mixed martial artist
- Height: 1.75 m
- Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Lee.
- Siblings: Keith Lee
- Spouse: Unknown
- Children: Kenzo Lee
- Relationship: Unknown
- Net worth: $1.5 million
Early life and education
Kevin Lee, American mixed martial artist, was born on September 4, 1992 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States. His parents’ names are unknown, but they may be referred to as Mr. and Mrs. Lee.
Kevin has a younger sister and two younger brothers. One brother, Keith Lee, is a professional mixed martial artist who competed in Bellator.
Lee attended Southfield High School and then went to Grand Valley State University, where he was a national tournament qualifier in wrestling.
However, with two years of wrestling eligibility left in school, Lee decided to drop out to focus on pursuing a career in mixed martial arts. Ethnically, Kevin Lee is white and Lee recently converted to Islam in October 2021.
Career
Kevin Lee is known for his aggressive fighting style and strong grappling skills. He began his MMA journey with a strong wrestling background, and his early career was marked by impressive victories that showcased his talent and potential.
Lee made his UFC debut in 2014, facing Al Iaquinta. His time in the UFC was marked by impressive victories, establishing him as a rising star in the lightweight division. Wins over opponents like Michael Chiesa and Magomed Mustafaev earned him the championship title.
In 2017, Lee challenged Tony Ferguson for the interim UFC light heavyweight championship but ultimately lost. After this title fight, Lee’s career went through some turmoil, with losses to fighters such as Edson Barboza and Rafael dos Anjos. However, he also picked up notable wins over Gregor Gillespie and Edson Barboza.
In 2021, Lee briefly left the UFC to compete in the Eagle Fighting Championship, but he returned to the UFC in 2022, looking to continue his journey and cement his legacy.
Lee’s strong wrestling skills are the foundation of his fighting style and he is consistently ranked among the top contenders in the UFC’s lightweight division.
In 2024, Lee was scheduled to compete against Chad Mendes at the upcoming ADXC 5 event on August 3, 2024. However, Lee briefly withdrew from the fight. He was later replaced by Diego Brandão, who will now face Mendes at the event.
Despite the ups and downs, Lee’s fight with Tony Ferguson for the interim title showed his potential. His career has been marked by both victories and defeats, reflecting the competitive nature of MMA.
Lee’s future developments in the UFC are eagerly anticipated, as he remains a force to be reckoned with in mixed martial arts. Here is a summary of Kevin Lee’s MMA career:
Social Media
- Instagram handle: @motownphenom
Personal life
Kevin Lee’s personal life and relationship status seem to be kept private. The media has yet to release any public information about his marital status or potential spouse.
The mixed martial artist seems to want to keep his personal affairs a secret from the public. However, it is known that Kevin Lee has a son named Kenzo. He announced the birth of his son in November 2022 on social media.
Net worth
Kevin Lee, an American mixed martial artist, has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million.
This figure is primarily taken from his earnings throughout his professional MMA career, including fight money, sponsorship deals, and other endorsement-related income.
